Medical marijuana patients in South Dakota are required to see their physicians at least once a year to keep their state-issued medical marijuana cards valid. They have 45 days before the expiration of their current cards to renew their medical marijuana cards. Unlike some other states, the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program does not send reminder emails to medical cannabis patients about renewing their patient cards. Hence, they must keep track of time to avoid losing legal access to medicinal cannabis.
In order to renew a South Dakota medical marijuana card, the cardholder must schedule an appointment with their physician for re-evaluation. The physician will review the patient's medical history to determine if there are changes in their qualifying conditions and whether they would still benefit from the therapeutic use of medical marijuana for their qualifying conditions. If the patient is found eligible, the physician will issue written certification, and the patient can apply to the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) for a medical marijuana card renewal.
The DOH will review the patient's card renewal application and, once approved, will print the new card and mail it to the patient or caregiver (in the case of a minor patient) the same day. In South Dakota, a patient's or caregiver’s current medical marijuana card becomes invalid once the DOH approves a renewal card. Contact the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program at (605) 773-3361 for further inquiries on how to renew an expired medical marijuana card in the state.
In South Dakota, medical cannabis patients must renew their medical marijuana cards online. Once a physician has re-assessed a patient and issued a written certification through the state-adopted online portal, the patient must log in to their patient profile via the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program Portal to complete the renewal application. Click on the gray login button in the top-right corner of the web portal to log in.
A patient would be required to provide proof of current address, physician's written certification, a passport-style photo, and a valid photo identification card while completing the online renewal form. Once a South Dakota medical marijuana card renewal application is submitted online, it may take the DOH three to four weeks to approve it. However, the new card will be mailed to the patient’s registered address on the same day it is approved.
South Dakota medical marijuana cardholders must renew their patient cards annually. The cards are only valid for one year from the issue date.
Yes, medical cannabis patients in South Dakota require licensed physicians to re-evaluate them for medical marijuana treatment before they can apply to the DOH for medical marijuana card renewal. The state does not maintain a database of practitioners who can certify patients for medical marijuana use. However, per Chapter 34-20G-1 of the South Dakota Codified Laws, physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses licensed to prescribe drugs to humans may provide certifications for medical marijuana use.
South Dakota medical marijuana card renewal fee varies based on the patient's circumstance. The standard cost is $75, but low-income earners with gross monthly household income less or equal to 130% of the FPL can request a fee reduction. The DOH may ask such individuals to pay a reduced fee if they can show proof of their household income. For instance, they may pay as low as $20 to renew their South Dakota medical marijuana cards.
Patients who cultivate marijuana plants at home for medical use or have a caregiver grow cannabis for them pay an additional $20 fee. Similarly, the DOH charges an extra $20 for cannabis patients who register a caregiver.
The only way to renew a medical marijuana card in South Dakota is online via the state's Medical Cannabis Program Portal. The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) does not accept paper applications for medical marijuana card renewals.
A medical marijuana cardholder from another state can legally purchase medical cannabis in South Dakota, but there is a caveat. Out-of-state medical cannabis patients who wish to have legal access to medical marijuana at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in South Dakota must register as non-resident patients. Per Section 44:90:02:14 of the South Dakota Administrative Rules, non-residents must provide the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) with any of the following as proof of debilitating medical conditions:
The DOH will determine whether a non-resident's medical marijuana card or document issued in their state of residence permits the use of cannabis before issuing them a non-resident registration. Out-of-state cannabis patients registered in South Dakota may purchase up to 3 ounces of medical cannabis within a 14-day period at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in the state.