Is It Legal to Grow Cannabis at Home in South Dakota? (2026 Rules)

Jurisdiction: South Dakota  |  Last verified: September 4, 2026  |  Program: South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program

Quick answer: South Dakota does not have a general adult-use home-grow rule. A qualifying medical cannabis patient—or the patient’s designated caregiver—may cultivate only when the person’s South Dakota registry identification card specifically authorizes cultivation. The current limit is two flowering and two nonflowering plants.

South Dakota home-grow rules in plain language

• Program: medical cannabis only; there is no general adult-use cultivation allowance.
• Authorization: the registry identification card must clearly allow cultivation.
• Plant limit: up to two flowering and two nonflowering cannabis plants.
• Grower: the approved patient or the designated caregiver named to cultivate for that patient.
• Location: plants must be in an enclosed, locked facility.
• Application: the applicant must submit a diagram and photographs of the proposed enclosed, locked grow area.
• Card display: the program issues a two-part cultivation card; one part is posted on the grow-area door and the other is carried by the approved grower.

Who may cultivate for a patient?

The patient application identifies whether the qualifying patient or a designated caregiver will be allowed to possess and cultivate plants for the patient’s medical use. A registry card without that cultivation designation is not enough.

A nonresident cardholder cannot cultivate in South Dakota. A patient younger than 18 cannot cultivate personally, although an eligible designated caregiver may apply to cultivate on the patient’s behalf.

Housing and security matter

South Dakota defines an enclosed, locked facility as a closet, room, greenhouse, building or other enclosed area secured so that access is limited to the cardholder or another person permitted to cultivate the plants. State law does not require a landlord to allow cultivation on rental property.

Before you start

1. Confirm medical eligibility. Obtain practitioner certification and complete the state patient application.
2. Request cultivation authorization. Do not assume that an ordinary patient card permits growing.
3. Document the grow area. Prepare the required diagram and photographs of the enclosed, locked facility.
4. Count plant stages correctly. The limit distinguishes flowering from nonflowering plants.
5. Check property permission. A landlord is not required to allow a home grow.

Official South Dakota sources

• South Dakota Department of Health: Patient, caregiver and cultivation FAQ
• SDCL §34-20G-1: Definitions and allowable amount
• ARSD 44:90:02: Medical cannabis card and cultivation applications

Ready to learn the cultivation side?

After the state has approved cultivation and the property rules are clear, use the HWGrow complete beginner guide for a practical seed-to-harvest workflow.

Compare South Dakota with the HWGrow U.S. cannabis home-grow law guide.

South Dakota home-grow FAQ

How many cannabis plants may an authorized South Dakota cardholder grow?

The current limit is two flowering plants and two nonflowering plants when the registry identification card authorizes cultivation.

Does every South Dakota medical cannabis card allow home growing?

No. The card must specifically designate the patient or caregiver as allowed to cultivate cannabis plants.

Can a South Dakota landlord prohibit a medical cannabis grow?

Yes. State law does not require a landlord to allow cultivation on rental property.