Martin council approves second reading of medical marijuana dispensary rules

The Martin City Council on March 12 approved the second reading and publication of Ordinance #261, which revises the city’s licensing rules for medical marijuana dispensaries. Warren Peterson moved to approve the second reading and publish Ordinance #261; Gloria Claussen seconded and the motion carried with all voting aye.

Ordinance #261 updates Title 10, Section 10-1-5 to list specific grounds on which the city may deny a dispensary license. The ordinance text identifies reasons including false statements on an application; any applicant owners, officers, trustees, employees, agents, or board members under 21 years of age; conviction of a violent felony within the previous ten years; failure to meet location requirements under SDCL § 34-20G-1 and administrative rules; operation of a business prohibited by law; prior revocation of a local cannabis establishment license or state registration certificate; overdue payments to the city related to a cannabis establishment; and other nondiscriminatory reasons supporting denial. The ordinance also provides that the city will reject an application if the limit on the number of cannabis dispensaries has been reached and requires the license to be posted in a conspicuous location at the establishment.

The ordinance record in the minutes lists the first reading as February 12, 2025, the second reading on March 12, 2025, publication on March 19, 2025, and an effective date of April 8, 2025. The council’s action on March 12 completed the second-reading step and directed publication as required by the motion that passed unanimous consent.