PIERRE, S.D. (KWAT) — One of Governor Kristi Noem’s major concerns with hemp production in South Dakota is how the associated costs of legalizing it would be paid for.

One example she cited recently was how law enforcement K-9 programs around the state would be impacted.

Noem says drug dogs that are working in the state now would “essentially become useless” if hemp is made legal.

South Dakota’s drug of choice is meth, and Noem says cracking down on the use of that illegal substance could be complicated if hemp and recreational marijuana both become legal.

The hemp bill passed the House this week, and will next be considered by the Senate.

South Dakotans will decide the marijuana question at the polls in November.

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