The Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota

Preamble

As an emerging industry facing political and public scrutiny, this code of conduct has been developed to promote corporate and clinical responsibility across all sectors of the South Dakota medical cannabis industry – including licensed establishments, specialty clinics and ancillary service providers – by centering business practices around patient care, improving public perception, and ensuring overall success of the program.

Principles

Patient Care – Industry participants should put patient care at the center of every business decision. If it doesn’t benefit patients, don’t do it.

Good Neighbors – Industry participants must be good neighbors in their communities and to each other. This means treating people with respect, refraining from negativity in public venues/forums, and engaging with the public as if you are on live tv at all times. Be professional, polite and courteous - in person and online.

Accountability – Industry participants must be accountable to all rules and regulations applicable to their business and must go a step further by striving to adopt best practices.

Code of Conduct

• Strive to conduct business and ourselves in an honest and dignified manner, reflecting our adherence to the laws that govern our operations.

• Commit to act professionally to reflect a positive image for the industry and promote our profession.

• Strive to educate ourselves, our clients, and the general public about the most current research and practices available to the industry.

• Agree that safety, training, and education are of the utmost importance in maintaining a professional workforce.

• Shall obtain and maintain all state and local licenses required by applicable state and local law to engage in any aspect of the cannabis industry.

• Recognize the precarious nature of the existing laws and regulations and pledge to support political activity that advances the legitimization of the industry.

• Commit to advertising in a manner that reflects positively on the cannabis industry and shall comply with all truth-in-advertising standards.

  • “Satellite Clinics” should be used in place of “Pop Up Clinics” to align terminology with other medical practices. ‘Pop Ups’ diminish the legitimacy or quality of care provided at clinics.

  • Avoid profanity and adult-themed language that may be viewed by the media or public, such as inappropriate or sexualized strain names i.e. Purple Panty Dropper.

  • Avoid trademark or copyright infringements including non-cannabis commercialized brands and products i.e. Girl Scout Cookies, Skittles.

  • Avoid “Get a Card in 5 Minutes” or language that undermines regulatory intent. While providers may want to emphasize convenience they should ensure their language accurately reflects the "Bona fide practitioner-patient relationship," as defined by SDCL 34-20G-1(2), i.e. “a treatment or consulting relationship between a practitioner and patient” and “the relationship is not for the sole purpose of providing a written certification for the medical use of cannabis unless the patient has been referred by a practitioner providing care for the debilitating medical condition that qualifies the patient for the medical use of cannabis”.

  • Avoid marketing for medical evaluations in explicitly non-clinical environments, such as bars or concert venues.

  • Avoid giveaways, raffles, prizes and “refer a friend” deals for medical evaluations, which may appear to incentivize non-medical use of cannabis.

• Shall treat CIASD members with honesty, respect, integrity, and good faith. Members shall express opinions about other members and the products they offer in a fashion that will facilitate a collegial, professional, and productive atmosphere within the organization. Members shall further avoid conflicts of interest, predatory practices, and anti-competitive behavior. Each CIASD member not only agrees to abide by the principles and practices set forth in this Code of Conduct, but also acknowledges that a material violation of any of the provisions of this Code could constitute grounds for immediate removal from the organization.