South Dakota Bill Would Allow Veterans to Use VA Medical Records to Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards
- The bipartisan House Bill 1255 in South Dakota would allow military veterans to use their VA medical records as proof of qualifying for the state’s medical marijuana program, bypassing the need for a traditional physician certification.
- Veterans must provide VA medical documentation dated within the past three years, proof of honorable discharge, basic identification, application fee, and optionally caregiver and dispensary details to qualify under the bill.
- The bill defines veterans as those who served in active military, naval, air, or space service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, with registry cards valid for one year and renewable.
- HB 1255 aims to streamline medical marijuana access for veterans by recognizing existing VA diagnoses, while retaining current patient provisions for caregivers, dispensaries, and cultivation, and is currently under committee review with a public hearing scheduled.
A bipartisan proposal filed in the South Dakota House would make it significantly easier for military veterans to qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program by allowing them to use their Veterans Affairs medical records in place of a traditional physician certification. House Bill 1255, introduced by Representative Tim Goodwin (R) and backed by lawmakers from both parties, requires the Department of Health to accept portions of a veteran’s VA medical file when determining eligibility for a medical cannabis registry identification card. The measure amends existing law and creates a new pathway specifically for veterans seeking access to medical marijuana.
Under current South Dakota law, patients must obtain a written certification from a practitioner within 90 days of applying for a registry card. HB 1255 would allow veterans to bypass that step by submitting VA records, dated within the past three years, showing a diagnosis of a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
To qualify under the bill, a veteran would need to provide documentation showing they were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, basic identifying information, the application fee, and—if applicable—details about a designated caregiver and preferred dispensaries. The bill also requires veterans to list their preferred VA health facility as part of the application.
The legislation defines a veteran as anyone who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service of the United States and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Registry cards issued under this provision would be valid for one year and could be renewed.
By recognizing VA medical documentation as sufficient proof of a qualifying condition, the bill removes what many veterans view as a redundant step that requires them to seek an additional certification outside the VA system. Supporters say this change would streamline access to medical marijuana for veterans already diagnosed and treated within federal healthcare.
HB 1255 also retains existing provisions allowing patients to designate caregivers, choose up to two dispensaries, and indicate whether they or their caregiver will cultivate marijuana for medical use.
The measure has been referred to the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee for further consideration. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for later today.