South Dakota lawmakers hesitant on legal weed as industry ramps up
Marijuana entrepreneurs, however, are not waiting for the Legislature to act. Many have been working for months to get businesses ready for the July 1 legalization date.
Written By:
Nick Lowrey / South Dakota News Watch |
2:15 pm, Jan. 19, 2021
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A farmer plants marijuana. Shutterstock photo
Entrepreneurs across South Dakota are already taking steps to claim a share of the state’s soon-to-be-legal marijuana market, but legislators and regulators are off to a slow start in crafting laws and rules to govern the controversial new industry.
A group of 15 Republican lawmakers have formed what they call a “Cannabis Caucus” to address marijuana issues this session. But leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties say discussions on preparing for legalization and regulation of the business of marijuana sales, possession and use — one of the top matters facing the 2021 Legislature — have barely begun.