A committee that advises members of the State Bar of South Dakota has issued an opinion that advises attorneys not to represent clients who plan to produce or sell cannabis in the state. The opinion, which was published in the January 2021 edition of the group’s newsletter, follows the approval of two state marijuana legalization measures in the November general election. Voters overwhelmingly approved South Dakota Measure 26, a ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana, with nearly 70% of votes cast. Another measure to legalize cannabis for use by adults, South Dakota Amendment A, also prevailed at the ballot box with more than 54% of the vote. Under Amendment A, adults 21 and older are permitted to possess and distribute up to one ounce of marijuana. According to the State Bar newsletter, the passage of the ballot measure has prompted inquiries into the ethical considerations of representing clients “about licensing and other legal issues related to establishing, licensing, or otherwise operating a business to distribute or dispense marijuana.”
SpeedWeed, 01/05/2021 17:30:00