Patient, Caregiver, & Practitioner Application Materials
Practitioners can access the medical cannabis patient portal to begin certifying medical cannabis patients. Once certified by a practitioner, patients will then be able to access the online application process and complete their applications. Approved applicants will have a medical cannabis patient card mailed to them. New patients will receive an emailed application link after their provider certifies them in the patient registry portal.
Medical Cannabis Patient/Caregiver/Practitioner Portal Login View Patient FAQs
Public Education & Resources
Find resources, safety information, and medical cannabis terminology.
Provider Education & Resources
Find continuing education information and resources for providers.
Medical Cannabis Patient & Caregiver FAQs
Any sale or purchase of medical cannabis must comply with SDCL 34-20G and ARSD 44:90. Any sale or purchase of cannabis outside of the regulated medical cannabis establishments is illegal.
Under the law passed by voters, SDCL 34-20G-1 (8) defines the conditions required to be a medical cannabis patient.
ARSD 44:90:02 establishes the requirements for applying for a medical cannabis card, including:
- A photocopy of an unexpired form of identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport, US government-issued ID card, tribal ID card, student ID card);
- A passport-quality photo; and
- A $75 fee. Low-income individuals (those with gross monthly household income <130% of the federal poverty level) can request a reduced fee by providing documentation of household income.
Applications for a medical cannabis card cannot be processed until the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program receives the certification for medical cannabis use by the patient’s physician.
Yes. The renewal fee for a medical cannabis registry identification card is required at the time of renewal, with no exceptions.
- $75 is the cost of a standard medical cannabis card.
- $20 for a low-income (those with gross monthly household income <130% of the federal poverty level) card.
- $20 to add home cultivation to either the standard card or the low-income card.
- $20 for a second caregiver to be added to your application.
Per 44:90:04:04, a photograph meeting all the following requirements:
- A high-resolution color photo that is not blurry, grainy, pixelated, or digitally altered;
- Uses a clear image of the individual’s face without filters;
- Uses a plain white or off-white background;
- Is two by two inches in size;
- Is printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper, and
- Is not damaged with holes, creases, or smudges.
Per SDCL 34-20G-1, a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed with authority to prescribe drugs to humans. In relation to a nonresident cardholder, the term means a person who is licensed with authority to prescribe drugs to humans in the state of the patient's residence.
No, the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program does not maintain a list of practitioners who will provide a certification for medical cannabis use.
- Yes, so long as the designated caregiver:
- Is at least twenty-one years of age;
- Has agreed to assist with a qualifying patient's medical use of cannabis;
- Has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense; and
- Assists no more than five qualifying patients with the medical use of cannabis, unless the designated caregiver's qualifying patients each reside in or are admitted to a health care facility or residential care facility where the designated caregiver is employed.
As part of the application process to obtain a registry identification card for the South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program, applicants may also apply to cultivate no more than two flowering cannabis plants and two cannabis plants that are not flowering plants in their home.
Initiated Measure 26 became SDCL 34-20G. Administrative rules for the program can be found at ARSD 44:90.
The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program has a statewide patient registry, verification, and licensing system that will ensure that only verified patients and caregivers have access to medical cannabis. The patient verification system ensures that South Dakota law enforcement officials have the necessary tools to accurately identify medical cannabis patients/caregiver they may encounter.
The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program takes privacy and health information security seriously. The secure online registry system for patients, caregivers, practitioners, and law enforcement will meet or exceed all state and federal standards for confidentiality, accessibility, and information security.
The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program cannot provide legal advice to qualifying patients as to the impact of medical cannabis use. Qualifying patients or others with legal questions should consult with their own legal counsel.
No, and no fee, other than an application fee, should be paid to apply for your medical cannabis patient/caregiver card. Individuals should use caution if using a business offering to assist with the application process. If you have been targeted or feel you have been a victim of a scam, please report it here.
Federal Law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)): Prohibits any "unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance" (which includes marijuana) from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition. For further clarification, please consult with private legal counsel.
The time it takes to receive a medical cannabis card depends on a few factors, including when the patient submits their application and the completeness of the application. The Office of Medical Cannabis typically reviews applications within 2 to 4 days of receipt. Once approved, the physical card is mailed, which generally takes 4 to 10 days to arrive. Processing and mailing times may vary based on application volume and U.S. Postal Service delivery conditions.
An incorrect mailing address is a common cause of delays, as the card must first be delivered and then returned to the Office of Medical Cannabis before the issue can be resolved.
U.S. Postal Service delivery conditions may also cause a delay in receiving your card.
Call the Office of Medical Cannabis at 605-773-3361 or email MCQuestions@state.sd.us, and we will be able to assist you with most technical difficulties that may arise.