House lawmakers targeting medical marijuana ‘pop-up’ clinics

Companies that connect cannabis-friendly doctors with patients have helped S.D. shatter participant projections for its pot program

South Dakota lawmakers have "pop-up" medical marijuana card clinics in their crosshairs.

A contingent of Republican legislators in the South Dakota House is hoping to narrow down who can certify patients to use and grow medical marijuana in the state. This stems from the arrival of several companies in South Dakota that connect cannabis-friendly doctors with applicants for the Department of Health's medical marijuana program.

Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer of Aberdeen told The Dakota Scout this week that she has drafted legislation that would amend the definition of what constitutes a "patient-practitioner" relationship. The specific intent is to require individuals to go through their primary care provider when seeking a medical marijuana card. Under the freshman legislator's bill, a patient could also see a medical professional who isn't their primary care provider if the doctor or physician specializes in treating a debilitating medical condition to obtain an ID card.

"Why is it so easy to get this at pop-up clinics when you can't obtain narcotics the same way legally?" Schaefbauer said, referring to companies like My Marijuana Cards and MMJ Card Clinic that specialize in medical cannabis certifications. "You have to have a relationship with your practitioner to get a narcotic, unless it's an emergency situation."

RELATED: Anti-pot lawmaker issued medical marijuana card by South Dakota health office