South Dakota in search of new medical cannabis administrator after abrupt death

Next coordinator will be fourth in two years, industry frustrated

PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Health is once again on the hunt for a medical marijuana program coordinator.

And the rapid turnover in the position — the state has had three cannabis administrators since the inception of the program two years ago — is frustrating South Dakota’s budding marijuana industry that continues to struggle through the state’s regulatory structure.

DOH’s most recent medical marijuana program coordinator, Jennifer Seale, passed away suddenly last week in Denver while on her way home from a vacation with her family. She was 53, according to an obituary.

Seale had served in state government for more than two decades. She had worked in health care at the women's prison in Pierre before moving in to the cannabis coordinator position in May, following the departure of Chris Qualm. Qualm’s tenure lasted less than a year, and came when the state’s first cannabis coordinator, Geno Adams, retired.

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