South Dakota’s medical cannabis industry is backing recent enforcement efforts targeting hemp-derived THC products in Rapid City. At a state Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee meeting Tuesday, lobbyist Jeremiah Murphy praised the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office for conducting sting operations at eight local smoke shops and convenience stores suspected of selling intoxicating hemp products.
The crackdown follows a July 10 warning letter from Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel. Law enforcement purchased samples of THC-infused gummies and drinks, now undergoing lab testing to determine legality under South Dakota’s 2024 ban on synthetically altered THC products.
Murphy, representing 116 licensed cannabis businesses statewide, argued that unregulated hemp alternatives undermine the state’s tightly controlled medical marijuana program
Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun and other local leaders have voiced concern about substance abuse’s impact on crime and public health, while the number of medical marijuana cards statewide hovers around 14,000—mostly for chronic pain.
John Peterson of the South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association said his group supports the rules on consumables and hopes enforcement won’t hinder the broader hemp industry, which includes textiles, building materials, and CBD wellness products.
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