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Rapid City committee tables medical cannabis code update after extended public comment
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Summary
Facing sustained public testimony from patients, cultivators and dispensary operators, the Legal & Finance Committee tabled first reading of Ordinance 6700 — a proposed update to Chapter 5.74 on medical cannabis — after weeks of contested licensing, litigation and requests for more time to resolve fairness and patient-access concerns.
The Legal & Finance Committee for the City of Rapid City on Nov. 12 tabled the first reading of Ordinance 6700, a proposed update to Chapter 5.74 of the Rapid City Municipal Code governing medical cannabis establishments, after extended public comment from patients, cultivators and dispensary operators.
Why it matters: The proposed changes would alter where dispensaries may locate, increase licensing fees and change application and transfer rules for retail medical cannabis licenses. Proponents of delay asked the committee to pause action so pending legal cases and concerns about consistent application of license requirements can be resolved; opponents warned that further restriction would reduce patient access and concentrate the market.
Public testimony: More than a half-dozen speakers told the committee the amendment would harm patients and local businesses. Kitrick Jeffries, representing Puffy’s Dispensary, detailed ongoing state-level litigation affecting his company and urged the committee not to change local rules while due process is ongoing. "What we would not support is any amendments to existing ordinances, raising license fees, and lowering the number of licenses until Puffy's is allowed due process," Jeffries said. Jake Johnson of BHCC LLC, a licensed cultivator, asked the committee to delay the amendment and correct what he described as selective enforcement of a one‑year operational requirement that disadvantaged compliant businesses.
Patient and provider concerns were a recurring theme. Nate Jensen, a Rapid City cardholder who said cannabis helped treat his PTSD and chronic pain, said consolidation of retail access forces patients to travel to Belle Fourche or Sturgis to find certain products. "Options need to be out there for the patients and the cardholders," Jensen said. Nevada Ellison of Black Hills Cannabis Care and Tyler Keeney, a manufacturer, said locally made medical products are not widely available in the city and that limiting licenses would reduce patient options.
Officials’ position and next steps: Committee members did not advance the ordinance at first reading; Councilmember Bill Evans moved to table the ordinance and the motion carried by voice vote. The committee did not vote on substantive language changes at this meeting. The tabling leaves the existing Chapter 5.74 in place while the council and staff consider the outstanding legal questions, licensing process fairness and zoning definitions. The committee also suggested staff work on transparent procedures for transfers and consistent enforcement of operational requirements.
What remains unresolved: Several speakers asked that any fee changes not be structured so they could be characterized as a tax; others urged a clear path for compliant cultivators to obtain retail dispensaries consistent with state law. The committee did not set a date for resumption of debate on Ordinance 6700.
Votes and formal action: The committee voted to table Ordinance 6700 on a motion by Councilmember Bill Evans, seconded by Councilmember Layman; the motion carried by voice vote.
Next procedural step: Because the ordinance was tabled at first reading, further action will depend on a future council or committee agenda and any legal developments in pending state cases.
