BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Vaping-related illnesses have now been reported in all 50 states with more than a dozen in South Dakota.The Centers for Disease Control says the culprit seems to be an additive to THC oil.
THC oil is illegal in South Dakota and a growing problem in Brookings County. States Attorney Dan Nelson says they’ve seen a huge increase.
There have been 47 deaths linked to vaping in the U.S., none in South Dakota.
In Brookings County this year, there are 68 prosecutions involving THC, 86 involving Meth. Nelson says the fact that marijuana and THC oil is legal in a nearby state is proving challenging.
Unlike simple marijuana possession which is a misdemeanor, possession of THC oil is a felony in South Dakota. Possession of any altered form of marijuana can be charged as a felony.
The 13 vaping related illnesses in South Dakota have been reported in Brookings, Codington, Davison, Lincoln, and Minnehaha Counties.
(Perry Miller, KJJQ, contributed this report.)
