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Home/Cannabis laws/Medical cards/South Dakota medical card
Medical cannabis · South Dakota

How to get a medical card in South Dakota

Written by The HerbyBud Editorial TeamReviewed by HerbyBud Standards Review · Internal accuracy & YMYL-compliance review
Last verified 2026-10-03
In short

South Dakota’s program is run by the South Dakota Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program. Here is the process for a registry identification card, taken from the program’s own website, with fees only where the state publishes them. ID accepted: SD driver’s license, passport, tribal ID, or SD student ID.

Last updated

Key Takeaways

  • You cannot start an application until your practitioner creates a patient certification in the portal, which creates your account automatically (SD DOH step-by-step guide). ID accepted: SD driver’s license, passport, tribal ID, or SD student ID.
  • Fee: $75 non-refundable for an initial or renewal card, or $20 for low-income applicants (with income documentation). Home cultivation registration adds $20. A caregiver added outside the renewal cycle costs $20. PayPal adds a 3.49% convenience fee plus $0.49.
  • Requirements change; confirm on the official program site before you apply.

Who can apply

  • You cannot start an application until your practitioner creates a patient certification in the portal, which creates your account automatically (SD DOH step-by-step guide). ID accepted: SD driver’s license, passport, tribal ID, or SD student ID.

Step by step

  1. Have your practitioner complete your certification; you’ll get an automated email with a temporary password.
  2. Log in at medcannabisapplication.sd.gov and set a permanent password.
  3. Fill in the required fields and upload your ID and a high-quality color photo on a plain background.
  4. Add a caregiver or home cultivation if needed, certify the application, and pay through PayPal.

Fees

  • $75 non-refundable for an initial or renewal card, or $20 for low-income applicants (with income documentation). Home cultivation registration adds $20. A caregiver added outside the renewal cycle costs $20. PayPal adds a 3.49% convenience fee plus $0.49.

Processing time and renewal

  • The fee applies to initial and renewal cards; check your card for its expiration date.

Using your card

  • Non-resident cardholders must designate one or two dispensaries and can buy only from those.

Medical cards and your job

A state card does not change federal workplace testing. For DOT-regulated jobs, a Medical Review Officer must not verify a test as negative because of a state medical recommendation (49 CFR § 40.151(e)).

See cannabis employment law by state for the states we have sourced.

Common questions

How much does a medical card cost in South Dakota?

$75 non-refundable for an initial or renewal card, or $20 for low-income applicants (with income documentation). Home cultivation registration adds $20. A caregiver added outside the renewal cycle costs $20. PayPal adds a 3.49% convenience fee plus $0.49. Practitioner visits are usually a separate cost.

How long does it take to get a South Dakota medical card?

The fee applies to initial and renewal cards; check your card for its expiration date.

Does a South Dakota medical card protect me at work?

Not necessarily. Workplace protections vary by state, and federal DOT testing rules apply regardless of a state card.

Keep reading

Sources

  1. government South Dakota Department of Health, Medical Cannabis Step-by-Step Guide for Patients (rev. 12/17/2024) ↗ accessed 2026-10-03
  2. government eCFR, 49 CFR § 40.151 — What are MROs prohibited from doing as part of the verification process? (U.S. DOT) ↗ accessed 2026-10-03

How we verify →

NOTE Informational only — not legal advice. Cannabis laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Verify current rules with your state or a licensed attorney. Last reviewed 2026-10-03.