The vape shop or the hemp store sells exactly what you need. Why pay more to go to my doctor?
By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis Industry has expressed its support for the sting operation targeting hemp products which create a similar high to that of marijuana.
Jeremiah Murphy made his comments at the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Murphy’s Association represents the 116 medical cannabis growers, manufacturers, and dispensaries licensed in California.
Murphy stated that the industry has “commended Pennington County Sheriff’s Office for their sting operation” targeting hemp-based THC-based products in eight Rapid City area smoke shops and convenience store.
Police bought samples for gummies with hemp ingredients, THC beverages and other “hemp-derived” products. THC Strains is the family of molecule that causes highs. They are found in great concentrations within cannabis.
Hemp is related to cannabis and contains small amounts of THC. Hemp-derived intoxicants often get their THC from chemically modified or distilled CBD. CBD is an intoxicating, but non-toxic molecule that can be found both in cannabis and hemp.
Hemp cultivation is allowed under the 2018 Farm Bill, and products derived from hemp are permitted under federal law. Since mid-2024, however, South Dakota has barred the sale–but not the possession–of products made with chemically synthesized versions of THC.
Rapid City’s compliance check was a response to a letter sent by Pennington County State Attorney Lara Roetzel on July 10, 2005, which warned businesses that they were suspected of illegal hemp sales.
Katy Urban is the spokeswoman of Roetzel’s office. She says that agencies are awaiting test results before determining if there were any violations.
Aaron Benson, spokesman for the Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD), said that the SFPD had performed a compliance check and was awaiting results of a laboratory test before deciding how to handle a particular case. Benson refused to disclose how many business were visited due to the ongoing investigation.
The Committee is hearing support for the compliance
At Tuesday’s medical marijuana committee meeting, Murphy repeated an assertion he’s used for nearly two years now: The availability of hemp-derived alternatives to medical cannabis puts the state’s highly regulated medical marijuana industry at a disadvantage.
“Why should I visit a medical doctor, pay for his services, then go and pay to the state, to spend even more, when I’m able to go and buy what I want at the vape or hemp shop?” Murphy said.
Whitney Brunner of Department of Health informed the Medical Marijuana Committee Tuesday that there are currently 14,000 medical marijuana cards in California, although the number changes daily.
Brunner stated that any data on a patient card represents a snapshot.
The number of cards issued has increased slightly, since the voters rejected an initiative to legalize cannabis for recreational use last autumn. However, it remained around 14,000 by this week. Brunner, who spoke to the committee, said that a little over 70 percent of cards were issued for chronic pain management.
The medical cannabis industry supported the ban on the sale of hemp-based products that are synthetically modified, but it hasn’t resulted in a flood of criminal cases. According to the Unified Judicial System, around 100 charges were filed between adult and juvenile cases as of last week. Many of these charges were filed against individual defendants.
Industry of hemp to expand beyond consumer products
John Peterson said that the South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association does not have any issues with the regulations on consumables.
Peterson’s Dakota Hemp company is building one of only two hemp-processing facilities in South Dakota.
South Dakota is the leader in hemp production. Hemp plants must be tested for THC and less than.3 per cent. Peterson stated that a pre-rolled, smokeable cannabis joint has a THC content of 30 percent.
If it’s too low, you’ll want your money returned.
Peterson stated that consumables, whether or not they have intoxicating qualities, are among the first products to gain popularity. CBD products are frequently marketed for both humans and pets.
Hemp THC was booming in the last few years.
Peterson explained that “the grain, textile and fiber areas are leading products for the future” as they have been financially.
Peterson, speaking from the booth of Dakotafest in Mitchell listed 12 products taken from a brochure by a hemp organization, which included building materials such as decking and hempcrete.
As far as consumables, Peterson said, “we’re not going to scream and holler and say, ‘you’ve got to let us have those back.”
He expressed his hope that the concerns about consumables don’t hurt the rest of industry.
It’s fine as long they don’t discriminate the hemp industry.
The original publication of this story is South Dakota Searchlight.
Photograph courtesy Pexels