Governor Noem: ‘For years, I’ve said I’ve supported medical marijuana’

PIERRE, SD (KELO) – Action 26 initiated will go into effect July 1 and legalize medical marijuana in South Dakota. But the state has until the end of October to set the conditions for medical marijuana card issuance in place by November 18.

In an interview with KELOLAND’s Bridget Bennett Thursday morning, Governor Noem said the state’s medical cannabis program would be ready by the deadlines listed in IM 26. It’s also a message she sends to South Dakotans in an ongoing advertising campaign.

“I can assure you that we are working hard to streamline the process,” Governor Noem said on a June broadcast across the state.

It’s a very different message than the commercials she appeared in ahead of the November 3rd election, fighting against efforts to legalize marijuana in the state.

“I urge all South Dakotans to vote against legalizing marijuana this November,” Noem said in a commercial that aired ahead of the 2020 election.

“I think there are people who have misinterpreted my position on medical marijuana,” Noem said. “I’ve said for years that I support medical marijuana.”

It’s a statement that may be difficult to hear for potential medical marijuana patients who watched the governor’s campaign against it.

“Yes, I specifically campaigned against the fact that I don’t believe marijuana makes anyone smarter,” Noem said.

But Governor Noem says she supports the qualification of patients who have medical marijuana as an option.

“I think this is something we want to take seriously and give them access to, but I want to do it in a responsible way,” said Noem.

While speaking out against IM 26, Governor Noem said she would support the legalization of medical marijuana at the federal level if it received FDA approval.

“The regulatory process the FDA has is making sure you get the potency as it is advertised,” said Noem.

Despite believing that this should be done another way, the governor says she is determined to carry out the will of nearly 70 percent of South Dakota voters.

“I think this is something we want to take seriously and give them access to, but I want to do it in a responsible way.

In our nearly half-hour interview about the legalization of marijuana in South Dakota, Governor Noem also addressed the timeline of the state implementation of IM 26 and her thoughts on the future of recreational marijuana in South Dakota – we’re going to post those stories tonight on KELOLAND-News 6 & 10.