SIOUX FALLS, SD — Almost two years after voters approved medical marijuana, South Dakota dispensaries are still in the preparation stages of being able to sell medical cannabis products.
While the state has approved medical marijuana licenses and municipalities across the state have established their own guidelines for dispensaries, there is no supply of THC products available as yet.
South Dakota native Emmett Reistriffer says it’s a matter of the supply chain catching up with retail availability.
Reistriffer, who owns Genesis Farms, Sioux Falls, says it takes time for dispensaries to become fully operational.
The first integrated medical marijuana provider in the state, Reistriffer said the company received its cultivation and manufacturing licenses in Box Elder in March. Since that time, the focus has been to get inventory on shelves.
That requires building permits, engineering, construction, equipment ordering, installation, growing, harvesting and more. He says the average time frame can be between 18 to 24 months.
The state’s medical cannabis website says as of July 5, 2022 there are over 1,300 approved patient cards in South Dakota. Reistriffer says he expects that number to reach 5,000 by the time medical cannabis dispensaries are offering THC products.
He anticipates dispensaries in South Dakota to have medical cannabis inventory by the end of the year.
