A unanimous vote came from the Board of Education in South Dakota over the proposed school cannabis rules in regards to the recent legalization of medical cannabis. While IM 26 will go into effect July 1st of this year, prescription cards will most likely not be distributed until October, with sales beginning in early 2022.

IM 26

In November 2020, nearly 70 percent of South Dakota voters approved of IM 26. This measure would create a medical cannabis program for qualifying patients. No smokable medical cannabis is allowed, but all other forms are legal. 

IM 26 has not had an easy journey since it’s initial approval. Several times, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) has tried to strike it down through reform and through proposals, but the South Dakota Congress has made it clear–IM 26 will go into effect as written. Now their goal is to create programs to help all citizens gain access to the medicine they need. This includes school districts.

Board of Education

Before the unanimous decision came about, the South Dakota Board of Education partnered with Colorado Schools to look at their medical cannabis rules and create something similar. One thing they made sure to state in the rules is that “designated caregiver [can] administer medical cannabis to a student cardholder on or in school property or at a school-sponsored activity in accordance with a practitioner’s recommendation.” 

Additionally “‘school property’ means any school premises vehicle, or building, or any premises, vehicles, or building used or leased for school functions.” In any function that a student may attend, such as a regular school day, an evening event, a sporting event away from the school, or a school dance, a designated person can administer medical cannabis to a patient following a doctor’s recommendation. This is a huge step forward for South Dakota as well as general education.

Public Response

Many members spoke in support of the medical cannabis rules for schools in South Dakota. One such person is the President of the Board of Education, Jacqueline Sly. “I think we’ll be charting new territory,” she told a local news team shortly after the unanimous vote came out. These things can change or update in the future. “Sometimes we miss things or need to adjust things,” she continued. The measure is written to allow schools to fit their needs while also serving the medicine the students need. 

This step forward is great for students and educators alike, as reform can come in many different ways. 

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