PIERRE, S.D. — Despite multiple failed attempts by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to delay implementation of a voter-approved medical marijuana program, there appears to be steady progress being made in establishing it.
Including the launch of a new website announced this week by state health department and education department officials to keep the public up to speed on implementation of the program.
Voters passed Initiated Measure 26 in November 2020 to legalize medical cannabis. Noem, along with most Republican legislators including Republican House Speaker Spencer Gosch, worked diligently to circumvent the voter outcome by attempting to delay the implementation of the program. Noem opposed marijuana legalization of any kind before the November election.
The new website is designed to answer questions and provide information about the upcoming medical cannabis program that is to become law July 1, 2021.
The Departments of Health and Education will operate the new regulatory program to ensure the safety of patients, students, and the public.
A new public service announcement in conjunction with the website will also be released. Content encourages South Dakotans to utilize the new website for information about the states medical cannabis program.
