“While expediting timelines may seem advantageous, the potential negatives embedded within the bill outweigh any perceived benefits. Patient access and rights must take precedence over expediency.”
Category: Medical Marijuana
“These findings belie that claim that cannabis is a so-called ‘gateway drug’ and reinforces the notion that, for many individuals and for patients especially, it acts as a exit drug.”
The legislation provides discretion to physicians to issue medical cannabis recommendations to any patient who may benefit from it. It also allows those ages 65 or older to self-certify for a registration card absent a doctor’s recommendation.
South Dakota voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure legalizing medical cannabis access in 2020. Since then, lawmakers have routinely sought to repeal aspects of the law and/or significantly amend it.
“Individuals reported improvements in overall PTSD symptom severity 30 and 70 days after initiating MMJ [medical marijuana] … Moreover, they reported reductions in negative affect and improvements in overall well-being. These findings suggest that MMJ use may be associated with clinical benefits in people with PTSD.”
“Our study provides novel information on workers’ use of cannabis for their work-related conditions, a population for which little data exist. … Findings of this study demonstrate workers are turning to cannabis many months following the onset of their original work-related condition.”
Multiple improvements to the state’s medical program became law July 1, 2023.