Sturgis motorcycle rally and marijuana

It’s the iconic event of rebels, cool, outlaws and independence, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Approximately half a million people are allowed to gather in South Dakota this August, up from over 700,000 in 2019. The 10-Day/10-Night Riders’ Celebration includes concerts, the Budweiser Clydesdales, pub crawls, a ceterans event, 5,000-mile Running and more plus a big nose, thumbs to the man. The organizers held it during the COVID-19 crisis and challenged anyone to stop them. But what about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and marijuana?

RELATED: What Are the Fastest Ways to Get High?

The first rally was held in August 1938 by Indian Motorcycle riders from the Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club.[5] The club continues to own and operate the tracks, hill climbs and field areas where the rally takes place. The first event was called the Black Hills Motor Classic. The Jackpine Gypsies were inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1997. The focus of a motorcycle rally was originally on racing and stunts. In 1961, the rally was expanded to include hillclimb and motocross races. This could include half-mile races (there were 19 competitors in the first year at Sturgis), deliberate crashes with ship’s sides, ramp jumps and head-on collisions with cars.

The Sturgis Rally has been held every year, also due to COVID-19, with the only exceptions during World War II. Harley-Davidson still rules, but not with the majority like a few years ago. Rally data collected by a team from Texas A&M University found that 66% of all rally participants in 2022 owned a Harley-Davidson.

Cannabis has been legal in South Dakota for medicinal purposes since July 1, 2021 legalized by a ballot initiative on November 3, 2020. Previously, cannabis was entirely illegal, with South Dakota being the only US state to ban the use of controlled substances. Gov. Kristi Noem opposed legalizing marijuana, saying she won’t support medical marijuana until it’s legal federally and regulated by the FDA. She has waged a bitter fight against legalization.

Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin, where Sturgis is based, says his deputies are generally considering enforcing small-amount marijuana possession. “If it’s a small amount, we just overlook it and say, ‘Hey, leave it out,'” Merwin said. “If it’s so big that we have to worry, then we’ll arrest them.”

Sturgis allows wine and beer in event cups throughout the event, but weed control is a little different. This year there are over half a dozen cannabis dispensaries right on the city’s main street. Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin, meanwhile, said open containers could cause more problems than normal. But the sheriff “doesn’t recognize it as a big deal.”

Vapes, gummies and ointments for sore legs and backs abound, still discreetly. And as you walk around, you’ll catch a gentle whiff of cannabis.

RELATED: How to Vaporize Weed Properly

Motorcycle culture exists on the fringes of mainstream culture and the stereotype is that all bikers are rebels. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings people together and creates a community for bikers. Not unlike those who use marijuana.