South Dakota Considers Increasing Possession Limits for Cannabis Patients

Proposed medical cannabis rule changes in South Dakota would allow for higher possession limits for edibles and would raise registration fees for medical cannabis companies from $5,000 to $5,310, KELO reports. Under the proposal, patients could possess up to 15 grams of edible oils and 2,000 milligrams of THC of other edibles products, up from 500 milligrams. 

The allowable THC in edibles would also be raised from 100 milligrams to 500 milligrams. 

The rules would also allow the size of infused topical products to be 16 ounces, instead of the current 1 ounce limit. Medical cannabis businesses would also have to use scales that are certified under the state’s weight and measures law. 

The new rules would also require medical cannabis to be manufactured with unadulterated ingredients. 

“No botanical, synthetic, or artificial terpenes may be added to any cannabis product during the manufacturing process. No artificial, synthetic, or hemp-based cannabinoids, including Delta-8 THC, may be added to any cannabis product during the manufacturing process.” — South Dakota Medical Cannabis Draft Rules 

The draft rules would also require medical cannabis products to be sold only in opaque packaging and require packages to have expiration or use-by dates, which could not be altered by a dispensary. 

Additionally, the proposal would allow cannabis testing facilities to complete accreditation within 32 months, rather than the current 18 months, and require dispensaries that are not seeking license renewal to notify the South Dakota Department of Health 45 days prior to the expiration of its operating certificate.