Watertown, S.D.(Northeast Radio) – The Watertown City Council unanimously directed City staff to prepare a focused ordinance that will prohibit the sale, purchase, and possession of psychoactive, hemp-derived products to individuals under the age of 21.
The decision was made following extensive testimony detailing the public safety risks associated with the legal loophole that currently treats intoxicating THC beverages and edibles as unregulated “soft drinks.”
The Council prioritized a “clean” ordinance that focuses solely on the age restriction, with the first reading scheduled for the upcoming Monday night. Mayor Ried Holien opened remarks.
To ensure the new measure is immediately enforceable, the Council agreed to structure the penalties to align with existing laws for alcohol violations. Chief Tim Toomey of the Watertown Police Department confirmed that the maximum penalty the City can assign for an ordinance violation is a Class 2 Misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $500 and 30 days in jail.
Chief Toomey brought to light the chemicals used on CBD, and Nancy A. Gilbertson, owner of Vape Depot.
Kari Johnston, Executive Director of the Human Service Agency, spoke, urging the council to consider passing an ordinance.
The ordinance is expected to cover sales, purchases, and possession, and minors who are cited will still retain the option to participate in diversion programming.
A key part of the discussion involved crafting legal language that successfully bans all intoxicating products while excluding non-intoxicating ones, such as certain CBD oils used for medical purposes.
Kelli Rumpza, Prevention Specialist at the Human Service Agency and organizer of Glacial Lakes SAFE, also stressed the community’s need for this clarity, noting the difficulty of educating youth about rapidly changing, deceptive product marketing.
The Council decided to formally separate the age restriction issue from a broader debate over how these products should be classified under the new full-service restaurant liquor license.
A former council member, Mike Danforth, spoke to the council.
A powerful display of community concern came from the youth group Peeps (Peer Educating and Empowering Peers), composed of local middle school students, accompanied by teacher Haley Rao. Rao stated that the students came to advocate for banning THC products for people under 21, noting their surprise that a ban was not already in place. She stressed the importance of adult leaders protecting the community’s youth.
City Manager Alan Stager and City Attorney Lisa Carrico will now prepare the new ordinance for the first reading next week.