How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In South Dakota? 2024

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Back in 2020, the people of South Dakota voted in favor of medical marijuana being available to patients who can benefit from this mode of treatment.

In 2023, the state already has an active medical marijuana program that issues medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients within the state. But this is only possible if you are diagnosed with one or more qualifying medical conditions as set by the state.

Plus the best is that the state of South Dakota has an expanded and quite technology-oriented medical marijuana program. The state does allow qualifying patients to get a medical marijuana recommendation from a certified medical physician online via a telemedicine platform such as the Kif.

Possible Benefits of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In South Dakota

The most prominent benefit of having a South Dakota medical marijuana card is the fact that you’ll be able to access medical marijuana when the recreational use of marijuana is strictly illegal within the state. This provides you as a registered medical marijuana patient certain legal protections that only you can enjoy.

Also, having medical marijuana means access to state-authorized dispensaries providing guidance and quality medical marijuana products. The card allows you to purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or weed concentrates, vapes, and edibles in the same amount. The interesting thing to note here is the fact that there is a possibility shortly that recreational use of marijuana will be legalized within the state.

This doesn’t mean that having a medical marijuana card won’t be much beneficial. The plans are to steep the tax ratio for recreational marijuana products while giving some major tax concessions and discounts to medical users.

The medical marijuana card also allows a patient to grow their cannabis. There are very few registered medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state which makes having the right to grow your cannabis a major benefit. As per the law, the state allows registered patients to grow up to 4 cannabis plants back at their homes with only 2 of them in the mature phase.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements set by the state are quite straightforward and similar to what most of the other US states have applied in their respective medical marijuana programs. These conditions include,

• The patient must be older than 18 and be a permanent resident of the state of South Dakota.
• The patient must be diagnosed with one of the qualifying medical conditions as mentioned by South Dakota’s medical marijuana regulatory authority.
• The patient must submit a written and signed medical marijuana recommendation from a certified medical doctor.
• Minor patients who qualify for a medical marijuana card can apply via a legal guardian or a caregiver who will be responsible for purchasing medical marijuana products and administration of marijuana on their behalf.

Qualifying Medical Conditions

Following are the qualifying medical conditions set by the state of South Dakota to determine whether a patient is eligible to start a medical marijuana base treatment stream or not,

• Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms

How To Apply For A South Dakota Medical Card?

Before starting your application, here’s a complete list of documents that you will require at multiple stages,

• Valid identification with your photo, name, and other details
• A passport photo that clearly shows your face
• Proof of South Dakota permanent residency (utility bills, bank statements, etc)
• A signed medical marijuana recommendation from a licensed physician
• Proof of financial aid or low-income status if you have applied for a reduced application fee

Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can now start your South Dakota medical marijuana application by following the steps in the same order,

Book your appointment with a certified medical marijuana doctor and be there on time for your evaluation.
Once you have got your recommendation, you can now sign-up for a patient registration account and fill out all the necessary details required.

After successfully completing your online application, you need to pay the application fee and wait for approval.

What To Expect During Your Kif Appointment?

The Kif has been quite active within the state of South Dakota booking hundreds of online consultation requests every week. Once you log in with your Kif account, you’ll notice that you can set the preferred time and date for your online evaluation. Select the time and date that suits you best and coordinate with your physician via our platform. Also, do remember to keep your medical records nearby if the doctor requests for them as they will aid the physician to make a better choice regarding your particular case.

Potential Cost

• An annual registration fee of $75.
• Applicants with low income will only have to pay $20.
• $20 for applicants who are applying for a cannabis cultivation license as well.
• $20 for every caregiver – if more than one is designated.
• Out-of-state patients must submit a $75 fee with their respective applications.

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Unfortunately, the state of South Dakota hasn’t signed reciprocity agreements with any other state when it comes to accepting out-of-state medical marijuana cards.

Applying As A Caregiver

The state of South Dakota doesn’t assign designated caregivers to patients as the patients will have to notify the Department of Health via their physicians regarding a potential caregiver.

The basic requirement for a caregiver is to be older than 21 and must not have any past felony convictions on their name. The state also automatically considers the parents and legal guardians of a minor patient as their caregivers.

How & Where To Buy Medical Marijuana In South Dakota?

There are certain state-authorized dispensaries active throughout the state from which medical marijuana patients (registered) can purchase the required marijuana goods. These dispensaries are filled with quality products and also offer help with choosing the right strain of cannabis for a particular patient.

Is ‘Cultivation’ a better option In South Dakota?

Yes, for an extra $20, medical marijuana patients can attain a cultivation permit which allows them to grow up to 4 adult cannabis plants in their home out of which only 2 must be in the adult stage. Registered caregivers can also aid their medical marijuana patients with the cultivation.

South Dakota Medical Marijuana Laws That You Should Know

• A patient can grow three or more ( up to four in most cases) cannabis plants with a valid cultivation license.
• The law allows medical marijuana patients to possess up to 3 ounces of medical cannabis or weed concentrates at a time.
• All cultivation grounds must be kept locked and within a closed space where no minor can approach as neglecting these precautions is punishable by law.
• Individuals who don’t have a valid medical marijuana card are prohibited from possession, consumption, and cultivation of marijuana products.

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FAQs

Are there specific medical marijuana doctors in South Dakota who can recommend the card?

• Yes, only specific medical marijuana doctors authorized by the state of South Dakota can recommend the card.

Can I use my Medical Marijuana Card from another state in South Dakota?

• No, you cannot use an out-of-state medical marijuana card in the state.

How long is the Medical Marijuana Card valid in South Dakota?

• The Medical Marijuana Card will be valid for one year.

Where can I purchase medical marijuana after obtaining my card in South Dakota?

• There are a number of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state from which registered medical marijuana patients can buy marijuana products.

Are there any restrictions on the amount of medical marijuana I can possess in South Dakota with the card?

• The South Dakota medical marijuana card allows you to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis or weed concentrates at a time.

Can I grow my own cannabis plants if I have a Medical Marijuana Card in South Dakota?

• Yes, you can grow your own cannabis plants with a medical marijuana card in South Dakota but you’ll have to apply for a cultivation license separately. Also, the fee for a cultivation license is $20 which must be paid separately with your application.

What should I do if I lose my Medical Marijuana Card in South Dakota?

• In such a scenario, we advise you to contact the regulatory authority and apply for a card renewal asap.