FORT PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The State has approved licenses for two medical marijuana dispensaries in Fort Pierre and paperwork for a third is in progress.

City Finance Officer Roxanne Heezen Bad River Cannabis and Black Hills Cannabis Care have both been approved.

Bad River Cannabis broke ground on their dispensary and cultivation site on Sale Barn Road in Fort Pierre last month. They hope to begin construction this month.

Heezen says Black Hills Cannabis Care– which will be a dispensary only– is still working through the city permitting process.

Heezen anticipates seeing state licensing approval for the third dispensary and cultivation facility in the near future.

In South Dakota, towns determine the rules for medical marijuana dispensaries, but the actual business licenses for them comes from the State.

South Dakota voters approved medical marijuana legalization on the November 2020 ballot. The state has been working through the details and providing updates on the https://medcannabis.sd.gov/ website.