South Dakota Has a Medical Cannabis Program
Initiated Measure 26 (medical) passed November 2020 with 70% of the vote. Amendment A (recreational) also passed but was struck down by the state Supreme Court.
South Dakota Cannabis Quick Facts
| Status | Medical Only |
| Recreational | Not Legal |
| Medical | Legal |
| Decriminalized | No |
| Possession Limit | Medical patients: 3 oz per 30 days |
| Medical Conditions | Cachexia, chronic pain, Crohn's, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, and others |
| Regulatory Agency | South Dakota Department of Health |
Penalties & Enforcement
Non-medical possession under 2 oz: misdemeanor, up to 1 year and $2,000 fine. Over 2 oz: felony.
Only registered medical patients with valid cards can legally possess cannabis. Non-patient possession remains a criminal offense. If you have a medical card from another state, check whether South Dakota accepts out-of-state cards before traveling.
What You Need to Know
Voters passed both medical and recreational in 2020. Recreational was struck down by the SD Supreme Court on procedural grounds. Recreational Measure 27 failed in 2022.
Nearby States with Legal Cannabis
South Dakota borders or is near states with legal recreational cannabis. Remember: transporting cannabis across state lines is a federal crime, even between two legal states.
Learn More
- How to Get a Medical Cannabis Card — state-by-state application guide
- Understanding State Cannabis Laws — how state and federal laws interact
- What to Expect at a Dispensary — first visit guide
- Dosing Fundamentals — start low, go slow
- Drug Interactions — check before combining cannabis with medications
- Driving & Impairment — DUI laws apply in every state
For support with quitting or cutting back on cannabis, visit our companion site CannabisDependence.org