Meade County residents vote Tuesday whether to increase the number of cannabis licenses.
The county currently allows for one medical dispensary license.
The ballot proposal would allow three licenses for each type of medical cannabis establishment—cultivation, testing, manufacturing and dispensary licenses.
That would bring the total up from one license to 12.
Rod Bradley, vice chair of the Meade County commission, said the current single license meets the needs of voters.
“Besides the campgrounds east of Sturgis, where else does it really fit, right?” Bradley said. “You get out between here and Faith, how many landowners want a dispensary there? What would support there? Because, when you get to Faith, Faith can make its own decision.”
Eastern Meade County stretches from just north of Rapid City to southwestern portions of the Cheyenne River Reservation.
The ordinance change does not affect municipal licenses.
Across the state, there are a total of about 2,500 medical cannabis patients.
To hear a full interview with Commissioner Rod Bradley, click play below.
