STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — The landscape appears to be changing when it comes to marijuana possession at this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.
Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin says his deputies are generally looking past enforcing possession of small amounts of marijuana.
“If it’s a small amount, we’re just overlooking it and saying, ‘Hey, get rid of it,’” Merwin said. “If it’s big enough for us to worry about, then we’re arresting them.”
Through the first five days of the rally, which began on Aug. 6, Sturgis police officers have made 15 arrests for possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia. That compares to 61 arrests through the same period in 2020.
The Meade County Sheriff’s Office recorded nine misdemeanor drug arrests, compared to 14 a year ago.
State voters overwhelmingly approved separate measures legalizing both medical and recreational marijuana in last November’s general election.
The use of medical marijuana became legal in South Dakota on July 1, but the state is still developing regulations, so the issuance of permit cards for residents still weeks away.
Gov. Kristi Noem is challenging the constitutionality of legalizing recreational marijuana, with the matter currently before the state Supreme Court.
Meade said on of his officers experienced a first during this year’s rally. A man arrested on an undisclosed charge and taken to the Meade County Jail was also found to possess a small amount of marijuana.
But because the man carried a valid medical marijuana card from his home state, jail officers returned the marijuana to the man instead of placing it in evidence.