South Dakota’s Medical Marijuana Industry Rocked by Oversight Committee Testimony
The South Dakota medical marijuana industry is reeling after a recent oversight committee meeting, where invited speakers warned about the potential health risks and dangers associated with the program. The testimony has sent shockwaves through the community, with many business representatives expressing alarm and concern.
Emmett Reistroffer, a representative from Genesis Farms in Sioux Falls, said his phone has been blowing up with text messages since the meeting, with many in the industry feeling a sense of unease and uncertainty. He fears that the committee may be involved in a coordinated effort to restrict or repeal the state’s medical marijuana program, which was implemented in 2022.
The committee’s chairwoman, Rep. Josephine Garcia, denied any intention to restrict or repeal the program, stating that the meeting was simply a public awareness event to discuss public safety issues. However, Reistroffer and others in the industry remain skeptical.
The invited speakers included medical professionals and retired law enforcement officers from other states, who shared concerns about over-prescription, youth access, mental health impacts, and the blurring of lines between medical and recreational use. One speaker, Ed Moses, a retired law enforcement officer from Missouri, described medical marijuana as a “Trojan horse” for recreational marijuana, warning that it can change people’s values and behavior.
Other speakers, including an emergency medicine physician and a professor from the University of Oklahoma, expressed concerns about the potential risks and side effects of medical marijuana, including addiction and mental health issues.
The industry is also facing criticism for local “smoke shops” selling illegal products, including those with hemp-derived but chemically modified ingredients. Reistroffer emphasized that these illegal products are not representative of the legitimate medical marijuana industry, but are instead attracting kids and contributing to the negative perception of the program.
Despite the concerns raised during the meeting, the committee made no formal recommendations and took no votes. The industry will continue to face scrutiny and criticism, but many are hopeful that the program will be able to weather the storm and continue to provide relief to patients in need.
