Quick Facts
| Legal Status | Medical Since | Adult Use | Access Type | Est. Cost | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Legal (2020) — No Adult Use | 2020 (Measure A — medical portion) | No (adult-use struck down by court) | Licensed dispensaries — SDDOH regulated, medical card required | USD 45-80/eighth | No |
Legal Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Measure A passes (54%) — medical and adult-use both approved by voters |
| 2021 | South Dakota Supreme Court strikes down adult-use portion of Measure A |
| 2021 | Legislature passes SB 1 to implement the medical-only programme |
| 2022 | First medical dispensaries open; Amendment A (adult-use 2.0) fails at ballot |
| 2024 | Medical programme stable; adult-use reform advocates continue work |
How to Access Cannabis in South Dakota
- Consult a South Dakota-licensed physician to certify your qualifying condition
- Register with the South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) for a patient card
- Patient card costs USD 75 per year
- Visit a licensed dispensary with your card and state ID
- Patients may possess up to 3oz of cannabis
Qualifying Medical Conditions
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- PTSD
- Multiple sclerosis
- ALS
- Crohn's disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Glaucoma
- Cachexia
- Parkinson's disease
- Severe nausea
Licensed Dispensaries & Providers
| Provider | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Dept. of Health | doh.sd.gov | Official regulator — patient registry and dispensary list |
| Dank's Wonder Emporium | dankswonder.com | South Dakota medical dispensary |
| Prairie Band Health Services | N/A | Licensed SD medical cannabis dispensary |
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Flower — 1/8 oz (3.5g) | USD 45-80 | No insurance coverage |
| Oil/tincture (30ml) | USD 50-90 | No coverage |
| Vape cartridge (0.5g) | USD 40-75 | No coverage |
| Patient card (annual) | USD 75 | Not covered |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical cannabis legal in South Dakota?+
Yes — South Dakota has a medical cannabis programme following the 2020 voter approval of Measure A. Recreational use is not legal after the adult-use portion was struck down by the courts.
What happened with adult-use cannabis in South Dakota?+
Voters approved adult-use cannabis in 2020 as part of Measure A, but the South Dakota Supreme Court struck down that portion. A second adult-use ballot measure in 2022 also failed. Recreational cannabis remains illegal.
How do I get a medical card in South Dakota?+
A licensed physician certifies your qualifying condition. You register with the SDDOH for a patient card costing USD 75 per year.
What is the possession limit in South Dakota?+
Medical patients may possess up to 3 ounces of usable cannabis. Non-registered possession of any amount is illegal.
Are there many dispensaries in South Dakota?+
The number of licensed dispensaries is growing but limited compared to adult-use states. Use the SDDOH dispensary finder for current locations.
Is South Dakota likely to revisit adult-use legalisation?+
Reform advocates continue to work on this. The challenges to getting adult-use on the ballot and the 2022 defeat have slowed progress. A future ballot measure is possible but requires careful legal navigation.