A separate ordinance passed by the city clears the criminal records of those convicted of low-level marijuana possession offenses. It is estimated that some 10,000 residents will be granted blanket pardons under this action.
Author: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
Under the expanded law, employers may not discriminate against authorized patients of medical cannabis in the recruitment, hiring, designation, or termination process or when imposing disciplinary actions.
This updated edition reviews over 450 peer-reviewed studies assessing the safety and efficacy of either whole-plant cannabis or cannabinoids for 23 different patient populations.
Researchers concluded, “We see no evidence that liberalized cannabis policies are directly associated with increased smoking behaviors among young adults.”
The lawsuit, which was filed by a 19-year-old patient who uses cannabis for the treatment of severe epilepsy, argues that the proposed changes will unduly restrict medical cannabis access among patients and will discourage physicians from participating in the program
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety issued guidelines today for law enforcement requiring them to cease arresting those persons who identify as patients and meet certain qualifications.
Under the law, which took effect upon signing, qualified patients may now legally possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis at one time. Patients also now have the ability to consult with authorizing physicians via video conferencing and may obtain cannabis from dispensaries via curbside pick-up.
The measure, which NORML opposed, was backed by a number of anti-cannabis organizations, including those opposed to the use of herbal cannabis as a therapeutic treatment in all situations.