Cannabis Users Can Now Become Police Officers in South Dakota
In a surprising move, the state of South Dakota has started hiring cannabis users as police officers, even though recreational marijuana remains illegal in the region.
Two Cannabis Enthusiasts Join the Police Force
The South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission recently approved job applications from two individuals who have used cannabis. One of them, Cody Beckers, was caught possessing a cannabis concentrate while studying at Minnesota State University in 2015. Since then, Beckers has stayed out of trouble, successfully graduated, and found his calling in helping and protecting people as a police officer.
The second new officer, Alisen Fladland, uses cannabis for medical reasons on her doctor’s recommendation. She has been taking cannabinoids as a painkiller since 2022, following knee surgery. Alisen received a medical cannabis card issued to members of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, so unlike Cody, her cannabis use was legal.
South Dakota law prohibits hiring drug users as police officers. However, the commission made an exception for Beckers and Fladland, taking into account their backgrounds and positive references. The agency is currently reviewing more than 10 similar applications from other cannabis users. If approved, the police force could soon include more officers with firsthand experience using cannabis.
Medical Cannabis Patients Still Face Arrests
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe was one of the first Native American tribes to legalize medical cannabis. In 2014, the tribe allowed the sale of cannabinoid products in its reservations, and medical cannabis became legal in the rest of South Dakota in 2021.
Despite these reforms, law enforcement officers continue to arrest medical cannabis users. Last year, police arrested over 100 people who purchased marijuana with medical cards issued by the tribe. It turned out that only tribal members are allowed to use these cards. The good news is that violators were not jailed; authorities only confiscated their cannabis products and access cards.
South Dakota officials plan to expand the list of conditions for which medical cannabis can be prescribed, but many politicians oppose this measure. For example, Representative Fred Deutsch believes that doctors might abuse their authority for profit and start issuing cannabis prescriptions to everyone.