rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/south-dakota-do-not-deny-patients-access-to-medical-cannabis?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-south-dakota-do-not-deny-patients-access-to-medical-cannabis' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> NORML https://actionnetwork.org/groups/norml https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Once again, lawmakers are trying to shut down South Dakota’s voter-initiated medical cannabis access program. Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 181, to dismantle the program following an anticipated change in the federal classification of cannabis. Specifically, the bill repeals the state’s medical cannabis law 90 days after it is federally rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III. Let’s be clear: A change in the federal government’s scheduling of cannabis does not equate to FDA approval. Rather, moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III is simply an acknowledgement from the government that cannabis possesses “accepted medical use" in the United States.” This change does not provide a regulatory pathway for patients to access it. This means that there will remain no way for patients to safely and reliably access medical cannabis other than through state-specific programs — even after it is federally rescheduled. Over 18,000 South Dakotans are currently registered with the state and rely on medical cannabis access. In recent years, this total has increased dramatically. This rise in participation speaks to the safety, efficacy, and widespread acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate medicine. It is cruel and inhumane to deny these patients access to a therapy that works for them. Please use this pre-written letter to encourage lawmakers to oppose SB 181. https://norml.org/act/south-dakota-do-not-deny-patients-access-to-medical-cannabis/