SIOUX FALLS, S.D. {Dakota News Now} - There’s a new concern growing in the medical cannabis industry in South Dakota.
Producers this week took their concerns and allegations to the Sioux Falls City Council.
Since medical cannabis was legalized in 2021, South Dakota companies have made the effort to comply with laws and regulations with the hope of helping patients and thriving as a business.
But two South Dakotans claim that smoke shops across the state are selling marijuana illegally.
Sioux Falls has only five dispensary licenses. Despite this, Emmett Reistroffer with Genesis Farms said these products are making their way to patients in unregulated and dangerous ways.
“It’s very concerning to see businesses that are not owned by South Dakotans, that import marijuana from out of state and is not tested by labs in the state. There’s just no oversight. There’s no assurance that these products are safe,” Reistroffer said.
In South Dakota, there are also THC limits in help and medical marijuana products. Reistroffer said many of these shops are often selling products with a potency much higher than the legal limit.
He and Alan Welsh, a former state trooper and current partner with Dakota Herb, believe there are more than 30 locations selling marijuana illegally in Sioux Falls.
“They’re saying it’s hemp or they got signs in the window that say THC-A. Quite frankly, it’s all BS, all of it. They’re selling marijuana. We have done tons of undercover buys and 100% of it has tested to be marijuana,” Welsh said.
There have been crackdowns in places like Watertown and Rapid City where a warning letter was sent to area businesses, but he said problems persist elsewhere.
“I think what’s happened is because of a lack of enforcement, we are now playing catch up. We are very grateful, we were excited to see the news this morning about what’s happening in Pennington County. The issue’s gotten out of control in Sioux Falls,” Reistroffer said
Overall, they just want businesses to follow the law and to keep patients safe. They hope law enforcement steps in.
“We are calling on our city’s leadership, the police chief, the police department and the state’s attorney to work together and put a stop to this craziness. I think a simple warning letter is the right way to go to start and if they don’t comply, it’s time to enforce the law,” Reistroffer said.
Reistroffer stressed that if you are a patient looking into whether medical cannabis is right for you, talk to your doctor first, get a medical card and only buy from licensed locations.
