South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis Industry Confronts Illegal Sales
A growing concern is plaguing the medical cannabis industry in South Dakota, with industry leaders accusing smoke shops of selling marijuana illegally. Despite the state’s strict regulations, which limit the number of dispensary licenses to five, unregulated and potentially dangerous products are making their way to patients.
Emmett Reistroffer, a representative from Genesis Farms, and Alan Welsh, a former state trooper and partner with Dakota Herb, have been sounding the alarm about the issue. They claim that over 30 locations in Sioux Falls are selling marijuana illegally, often mislabeling products as hemp or THC-A to avoid detection.
Reistroffer expressed concern about the lack of oversight and testing in these illegal operations, which can put patients at risk. He also alleged that some shops are selling products with THC levels far exceeding the legal limits.
The duo has conducted undercover buys and found that 100% of the products tested positive for marijuana. They also reported that some shops failed to check their IDs or ask for medical cannabis cards, further undermining the integrity of the industry.
Industry leaders are calling on law enforcement to take action and crack down on these illegal operations. They are urging the city’s leadership, police chief, and state’s attorney to work together to issue warning letters and enforce the law.
Reistroffer emphasized the importance of patients seeking medical advice from their doctors and obtaining medical cards before purchasing cannabis products. He also stressed the need to only buy from licensed locations to ensure the safety and quality of the products.
