South Dakota has been in the headlines for both good and bad reasons since they legalized cannabis with a ballot measure during the last election cycle. While they did manage to legalize, anti-cannabis forces immediately sued over this decision. Now, the case comes before the South Dakota Supreme Court. 

To the surprise of many, South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem is considering a bill that would decriminalize cannabis in South Dakota. While Noem has been unflinchingly strict on cannabis before, she is now starting to loosen up a bit, though not enough for some advocates.

While South Dakota is still stalled when it comes to making legal cannabis a reality within state borders, the state is already working on legislation that allows banks to decide whether or not to do business with the legal cannabis and hemp industry. 

Maine officially rolled out adult-use cannabis sales last October. Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Mississippi are all on track to open up shop soon, creating a greater likelihood that we'll see more cannabis dispensaries across the U.S. sooner rather than later. 

According to Zendesk's Customer Experience Trends Report 2020, "nearly three out of four customers (74 percent) feel loyal to a specific brand or company, and more than half (52 percent) will go out of their way to buy from their favorite brands or businesses."

Marijuana and hemp-related businesses are one step closer to gaining access to South Dakota banks.

House Bill 1203 proactively lays groundwork for banks and their subsidiaries to work with any person that acquires an industrial hemp or marijuana license, pending legalization of the substances at the state level. The legislation passed in the state House of Representatives on Monday afternoon with a vote of 64 in favor, four opposed and two excused.

Without a bill of this kind, those involved in cannabis industries would only be able to carry out business transactions in cash, as marijuana is considered an illegal business at the federal level.

Hawaii Senate Says Yes To Cannabis Legalization

Hawaii Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs voted in favor of two cannabis measures on Tuesday. (h/t Marijuana Moment)

The first bill asks for adult-use cannabis legalization and the other to amend the state’s current decimalization law.

The Aloha State decriminalized the possession of up to three grams of cannabis in 2019, under a law that went into effect in 2020.

The law also replaced criminal penalties with a $130 fine.

A bill that would allow future marijuana shops and hemp businesses to use South Dakota banks will move forward to the House floor after a unanimous vote of approval by the House Commerce & Energy Committee.

House Bill 1203 lays proactive groundwork for banks and their subsidiaries to work with any person that acquires an industrial hemp or marijuana license, pending legalization at the state level.

Without a bill of this kind, those involved in the cannabis industries would only be able to carry out business transactions in cash, because marijuana is considered an illegal business at the federal level.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday that she is seeking to delay the implementation of a successful voter initiative to legalize medical marijuana. The state’s voters approved Initiated Measure 26 (IM 26) to allow qualified patients to use cannabis medicinally in the November general election with nearly 70% of votes cast.