Sioux Tribe opens South Dakota’s first and only medical cannabis dispensary

The Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe is preparing to open the first and only medical cannabis dispenser in South Dakota on July 1, the day medical cannabis officially becomes legal in the state.

South Dakota voters last fall legalized medical marijuana through an election campaign, but although the law goes into effect this week, prohibitionist Governor Kristi Noem postponed the rollout of the program until next year. But while the rest of the state waits for politicians to work out the rules for the official program, the Flandreau tribe are ready to open the doors of their own legal pharmacy.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe is a sovereign nation and so does not need to abide by state medical marijuana laws or regulations. However, the tribe decided to postpone the pharmacy opening day until the official legalization date to ensure that patients would not be arrested after leaving the tribal country.

To qualify for a tribe medical marijuana pass, an applicant must be diagnosed with a chronic or debilitating illness by a licensed medical practitioner. Patients suffering from AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, cancer, migraines, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, or other conditions that can be effectively treated with cannabis can apply as long as they have a recommendation from a doctor who is licensed to prescribe medication is people.

Anyone wishing to sign up for the program can download an application from the tribe’s website. Applications can be sent by post or fax to the tribal office or submitted in person in the office or in the pharmacy itself. The tribe will also recognize valid medical marijuana cards issued by other countries, states, tribes, or territories. The application fee to enroll in the program is $ 50.

“The tribe’s goals for cannabis development are similar to those of other jurisdictions,” the tribe said in a press release, the Sioux Falls Argus leader said. “It wants a safe product to generate income for tribal programs, limit black market sales of cannabis, and prevent illegal distractions, especially for children. The program he developed does this and also corresponds to the memoranda of the Ministry of Justice, which were issued in 2013 and 2014. “

Last March, the Oglala Sioux tribe also voted to legalize medical cannabis and adult cannabis in tribal areas in South Dakota. The tribe has also voted to ban alcohol in its casinos, and members now have the idea of ​​turning them into pot resorts. The Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe was considering opening their own recreational pot resort back in 2015, but gave in when they learned the Feds were planning to raid them.

July 1 was also supposed to be the day adult cannabis became legal in South Dakota, but state cops and politicians conspired to block the will of their voters. Governor Noem encouraged state police officers to appeal the voter-approved measure, and the state’s Supreme Court agreed to overturn it in February this year. The case is still under appeal, but a final decision will not be made until the original start date for the Adult Use Act.