Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill removing some protections medical cannabis facilitates now receive.
Senate Bill 71 allows local law enforcement to inspect, search, seize, prosecute, or impose disciplinary action on medical cannabis dispensaries. This includes medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and testing facilities.
Opponents of the change said law enforcement already have the right to search medical dispensaries with probable cause. They said law enforcement’s presence in a dispensary can be intimidating and violates patient confidentiality.
Supporters of the bill said they trust law enforcement to exercise this ability responsibly.
The law takes effect July 1.
