CANNABIS Legislative Update: WE DID IT!
The 2025 Legislative Session at the South Dakota State Capitol has officially ended, and all four (4) bills that would have outlawed medical cannabis completely, or restricted patient access to medical cannabis, were successfully defeated, thanks to the efforts by our lobbying team and advocacy friends, and all of you who took the time to contact your elected Representatives and Senators.
Genesis Farms Retail Director at the State Capitol with Vietnam Veteran Randy K and Kasey E, Owner of Pitbull Acres, after presesnting educational information to lawmakers.
This year’s legislative attacks from elected politicians went directly against the will of voters who overwhelmingly passed medical cannabis in 2020 (69% in support). Our lobbying team played a critical role in defeating these attacks, including Genesis Farms’ Retail Director, Emmett Reistroffer, who testified against multiple bills, answered official committee questions and provided educational information to lawmakers.
We want to take a moment to thank our advocacy friends, Kasey and Randy, who worked closely with us during this year’s legislative session, by sharing their family’s journey and success story with medical cannabis. Randy played an especially important role by speaking out for Veterans across South Dakota who can benefit from medical cannabis but still face extra difficulty getting approval for a medical card. Randy is a Recon Marine Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam and significantly improved his health with Rick Simpson Cannabis Oil (RSO) from Genesis Farms.
Vietnam Veteran Randy sharing his personal story with Governor Larry Rhoden.
Last but not least, we want to THANK YOU, each and every one of you, for responding to our calls-to-actions and contacting your State Representatives and Senators. Many of you shared your own personal stories and support for the medical cannabis program. We heard from many legislators that they decided to vote in support of protecting medical cannabis patients like you, specifically because of the feedback they received from their constituents. Thank you!
This year’s legislative attacks are an important reminder for all patients and their families and friends about the importance of registering to vote and getting involved.
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