Cloud-based Software Could Fuel Growth of South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis Program

Medical cannabis patient enrollment is on the rise in South Dakota, and what better way to stay on top of things than by introducing a cloud-based platform?

cloudPWR, a pioneer in cloud software for enterprise businesses and government agencies, is collaborating with fellow cloud-based solutions leader Accela to provide the South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) with an on-demand computer system-operated medical cannabis program registry.

South Dakota voters approved Initiated Measure 26 in November 2020, which effectively legalized medical cannabis across the state. The joint cloud software project was impressively finalized in less than eight weeks, from the contract phase to the system’s live implementation. cloudPWR and Accela accomplished this task in accordance with designated legislation deadlines.

Med Card Registration via Cloud-based Registry

cloudPWR and Accela’s cloud-based registry has been publicly accessible since Nov. 8, 2021. For the year 2022, patients who are interested in registering for South Dakota’s medical cannabis industry can apply with ease via the new fully digital internet-based program.

Specifically, the cloud computing software will be utilized for processing and handling both patient and caregiver applications. Patients were given the go-ahead to register for medical cannabis cards on Nov. 18, 2021. Patients aside, the cloud-based registry is also designed to accommodate entrepreneurs who wish to apply for a business license via the online platform. Shadrach White, founder and CEO of cloudPWR, stated:

“It’s not every day organizations in the public sector get the opportunity to deliver a solution designed for users first. We are very excited to have found the unicorn of a public sector IT project in South Dakota and to have the opportunity to create a product that will benefit the community.”

“The South Dakota Department of Health was a tremendous partner in this project, providing clear workflow and business requirements, and clear communication on user experience improvements and policy alignment,” added White, who noted that the cloudPWR and Accela platform is specially designed to serve medical cannabis registries that operate in accordance with state and HIPAA laws.

cloudPWR’s medical cannabis registry system aims to serve South Dakota’s medical cannabis market in a multitude of ways. Examples of some of the platform’s key attributes include:

• Sophisticated software design for straightforward functioning
• Cardholder identity verification technology for law enforcement and licensed businesses
• Internet-enabled paperless paper submission tool as an alternative to in-person paperwork
• Data and storage options via the integrated Microsoft Azure platform

“cloudPWR’s software has made significant improvements to the new cannabis registry system,” said Geno Adams, medical cannabis program administrator for the SDDOH. “We’ve been especially impressed with the ease of use for patients and efficiencies woven into the features, such as the autofill features for home cultivation and caregiver information. We are very proud of the collaboration on the project.”

South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis Rules

As of July 1, 2021, following a successful ballot initiative vote that occurred on Nov. 3, 2020, medical cannabis is legal in South Dakota. Before the law’s passing and official implementation, the plant was completely illegal across the state. The DOH maintains the right to add other medical conditions to the following list of eligible conditions for medical cannabis in South Dakota:

• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cancer associated with severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Glaucoma
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In addition to the list of qualifying conditions, individuals who are seeking out medicinal cannabis in South Dakota must abide by the patient possession limits. Registered patients can possess no more than 3 ounces of cannabis, as well as other permissible products.

Home cultivation up to the amount of three plants is allowed; limits may be increased if a physician provides authorization for a patient to do so. Only state-licensed dispensaries are allowed to participate in the state’s legal medical cannabis program and caregivers must submit the necessary documentation to the DOH if they wish to get involved.

About cloudPWR and Accela

cloudPWR prides itself on being a dependable service for case management and secure public records. The company’s simple-to-use cloud software solutions effectively streamline workflow in accordance with the community response requirements laid out by government agencies and trade businesses.

Accela, on the other hand, is a dominant government software solutions provider renowned for its outstanding HIPAA-compliant software, which is developed specifically for patients and providers. Headquartered in San Ramon, California, the market-leading cloud-based platform of SaaS solutions proves useful for scaling business, strengthening communities, and serving the needs of citizens.