South Dakota expected to have the strictest therapeutic cannabis law in the US

Republican lawmakers and Governor Kristi Noem want to put off cannabis legalization for some patients until at least 2022 defaulting to tribal nations in South Dakota a strong leadership role. But even tribal member and Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert (D-Mission) and Republican Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mike Diedrich of Rapid City acknowledge huge differing opinions on how therapeutic cannabis will be implemented in deep red South Dakota. 

Maybe someday South Dakota's lunatic legislature will approve a bill that would adopt statutes like Kansas' therapeutic cannabis law where medicine would be sold by pharmacies, ie. edibles and topicals only, no flower or smoking.

Cannabis is a safe, effective palliative but black market cannabis not tested or subject to regulation makes America and South Dakota less safe. Legalization, state or tribal inspections and regulation of produce that so many people enjoy is reasonable public policy that aligns with prudent life safety goals. 

Contaminated dietary supplements, vapes, ointments and edibles are unacceptable in a country with a long history of snake oil salesmen. CBD products being sold in South Dakota and other states are little different from raw milk, preserves, pies or juices that are often tainted with hormones, pesticides and worse but sold at farmers markets anyway. Giving the products as gifts is one thing but selling untested product especially through interstate commerce is completely different.

I knew Mike and Connie Diedrich from contracting the drywall finish and paint at their ski cabin on Terry Peak. Mike is a serial philanderer and his reputation for boinking staff at Sodak Gaming was an open secret. Connie suffers from the same malady as public radio personality, Diane Rehm. Spasmodic dysphonia or SD is a neurological condition that affects her voice. Mike always rolled his eyes when trying to describe it. Anecdotal evidence suggests cannabis provides temporary relief for SD.

Chairman of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Delbert Hopkins, Jr. recently toured the Flandreau Santee Sioux grow/op facility.