A South Dakota Department of Health employee faces criminal charges after allegedly issuing herself a medical marijuana card without following proper procedures.
Alexandra Feiner, 24, admitted to coworkers that she renewed her own medical marijuana card without obtaining the required medical practitioner’s approval or paying the necessary fees, according to court documents obtained by KELOLAND News.
Attorney General Marty Jackley said Feiner was responsible for managing the medical marijuana card process at the department. “She took it upon herself to issue her own renewal card improperly,” Jackley stated.
Feiner was initially certified for a medical marijuana card in 2023. State law requires patients to be certified for no more than 12 months at a time, but it is alleged she bypassed this rule during her last renewal.
The investigation began after a coworker reported the misconduct to authorities. Jackley praised the whistleblower and other state employees who report unethical behavior, emphasizing that such conduct will not be tolerated.
This case marks one of several ongoing investigations into state employee misconduct related to medical marijuana procedures. “There have been seven or eight criminal charges brought so far,” Jackley noted, adding that the issue is being addressed by both the legislature and the Attorney General’s office.
Feiner’s employment with the Department of Health ended on March 11. If convicted, she faces up to nine years in prison.
This case highlights the importance of ethical conduct and adherence to legal procedures in state health programs, underscoring the role of accountability and transparency in public service.
