NEWS

Ex-Trooper Turned Cannabis Grower Seeks Answers on Fake Weed Inaction

Published

2 years ago

July 2, 2024

Harry

Sioux Falls, South Dakota—Alan Welsh, a former South Dakota Highway Patrol officer, has taken an unexpected career turn. After retiring from law enforcement, he now cultivates marijuana as a partner in Dakota Herb, a medical cannabis company with dispensaries in Huron, Brandon, Aberdeen, and Vermillion. But Welsh’s journey from policing to pot raises questions about the evolving perception of cannabis.

From Law Enforcement to Cannabis Cultivation

Welsh served 28 years with the South Dakota Highway Patrol, rising to a leadership position in the Sioux Falls region. During his tenure, he was often quoted in news stories related to drug enforcement, including a 2012 case involving the seizure of 295 pounds of marijuana during a saturation patrol.

Cannabis leaves and grow facility

A Change of Heart

Welsh’s perspective shifted after retirement. His research and discussions with a friend who owned a trucking company in North Dakota led him to reconsider cannabis. He compared its impact on public safety with that of alcohol, ultimately concluding that the stigma associated with marijuana was unwarranted.

The Cannabis Come-to-Jesus Moment

Now a partner in Dakota Herb, Welsh tours the company’s multimillion-dollar grow facility, witnessing the production of dried marijuana for medical use. His transformation from a staunch opponent of cannabis to a cultivator highlights the evolving attitudes toward this once-taboo plant.

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Harry

Harry is the editor of CBD STRAINS ONLY, his own independent publication about CBD, hemp and cannabis strains, the products made from them and the rules that govern their sale. He has been a journalist for ten years, first reporting and then editing, and the bulk of that time has gone to this beat. Product coverage rests on the certificate of analysis: he reads the third party lab reports for cannabinoid content, terpene profile, residual solvents, pesticides and heavy metals, compares the numbers with what the label claims, and names the gap when there is one. Strain write-ups draw on breeder records, seed bank listings and published genetics work rather than on forum lore. Legal thresholds for THC in hemp, licensing rules and labelling requirements are quoted from the statute or regulation itself, and every figure is checked before publication. The site keeps a public corrections policy. None of this is medical advice; cannabis law differs by jurisdiction, and readers with a health condition should consult a clinician before using any product. Mail to Harry goes to support@cbdstrainsonly.com.