Healing Spirit Psychiatry & Counseling, PLLC

02/22/2026

If you are my patient, we have likely discussed the many benefits of CBD….helping with anything from chronic pain to treatment of ADHD, PTSD & depression. This is interesting research from Israel showing significant improvement in ADHD symptoms in autistic children.

The following on article also discusses research from London outlining the benefit of using CBD in entrenched, treatment-resistant depression. https://norml.org/news/2026/01/15/study-cannabis-treatment-provides-sustained-relief-for-patients-with-treatment-resistant-depression/

Please make sure if you choose to use CBD that it comes from a reliable source. Don’t trust products that are sold in smoke shops or at a gas station! These products are not regulated & tend to contain all sorts of nasty stuff (solvents, pesticides, mold, etc.) At the same time, these unregulated products also often have inconsistencies between the amount of CBD & other cannabinoids & what is listed on the label.

🌿 Researchers reported "improvements in core behavioral domains" following patients' use of CBD-dominant extracts.⁠
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👉️ Read more: https://norml.org/news/2026/01/15/cbd-rich-cannabis-extracts-reduce-adhd-symptoms-in-children-with-autism/

02/22/2026

Good news for gun owners who possess or plan to possess a medical cannabis card! The ATF is proposing a rule change that would allow medical cannabis users to use & possess fi****ms.

In addition to this recommendation from ATF, a panel of 3 judges in Atlanta ruled that it was likely unconstitutional to prohibit medical cannabis users from possessing fi****ms. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-appeals-court-sides-with-medical-ma*****na-users-challenge-gun-ban-2025-08-20/

Unfortunately, the US Dept of Justice e disagrees, & is fighting these changes. https://www.ma*****namoment.net/doj-tells-supreme-court-that-federal-gun-ban-for-ma*****na-users-must-be-upheld-even-if-trumps-rescheduling-order-is-finalized/

😚💨 Under the proposed change, which is subject to public comments, any use of cannabis would no longer be defined per se as a violation of federal gun laws. Rather, the new rule would require evidence of either "compulsive" or "regular" drug use over "an extended period of time continuing into the present, without a lawful prescription or in a manner substantially different from that prescribed by a licensed physician."⁠
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👉️ Read more: https://norml.org/blog/2026/01/22/feds-propose-amending-2nd-amendment-ban-for-cannabis-consumers-others/

02/11/2026

GREAT NEWS!!! Both SB 181 and SB 194 were defeated in committee this morning!! Huge thanks to everyone who contacted committee members. Just goes to show that a committed group of people working towards the same goal can make great things happen!

02/10/2026

Hello everyone! SB 194 is being heard in the SD Senate Health & Human Services Committee in Pierre on Wed, Feb 11 at 7:45 am. This bill recommends limiting the potency & dosage of medical cannabis. From a clinical perspective, this is NOT a recommendation that is at all feasible.

The limits recommended in this bill would be:
--flower with 30% THC
--liquid concentrate could not exceed 60% THC
--edibles could not exceed 5 mg per serving or 100 mg per package
--cannabis oil could not exceed 5% THC.

The organizers of this opposition are looking for a couple of patients that can speak personally to needing dosages that are higher than these proposed limits. If this is something you or a loved one would be interested in, please reach out to me ASAP and I will get you in touch with the right people. Other options to be involved would be to e-mail or call the committee members and let them know that you oppose this legislation.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

02/07/2026

*+*+*+*ATTENTION ABERDEEN PATIENTS*+*+*+*
We have completely filled our days on Tues 2/10 & Wed 2/11…..so we have added an additional day on THURSDAY 2/12!!! We will be at the Marriott TownPlace Suites all 3 days.

If you would lime to schedule an appointment please call (605) 796-4701 or e-mail the following to healingspirit@santel.net:
--First & last name as it appears on your ID
--Reason for seeking treatment
--Date of birth
--Phone number
--Valid e-mail address (if different than the e-mail used to send in this information).

Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or are in need of additional information.

And as always, if you believe this may be helpful to others, please share this post

01/30/2026

Hey folks! The SD Legislative session is upon us with the annual “let’s do away with medical cannabis bills”. Senator Carley has introduced SB 181, which would do away with the entire medical cannabis program when & if cannabis is ever rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. The rescheduling is not likely to happen anytime soon. Nonetheless, we don’t need this law on the books. Please contact your legislators to let them know what you think!

https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26944/299371?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPqAjpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEelmGFjMJxXbz7kPohmxvn7JK7sylNWmaDJP3Y5QtxHWiBfRNklPhdQLGpkZw_aem_RwawIa-5pz0TG7gs6U0RVg

01/30/2026

For those curious about the outcome of President Trump’s executive order that orders the rescheduling of cannabis, there is a long way to go. It is likely that this change will be held up in policy making & legal challenges for years. This article outlines the process.

The Justice Department says there are currently no updates on the ma*****na rescheduling process that President Donald Trump instructed the attorney general to complete “in the most expeditious manner” more than a month ago. As advocates and industry stakeholders await the completion of that pro...

01/30/2026

This is an article discussing the use of cannabis in treating diabetes. Interesting stuff!

01/26/2026

Hello! If you or a loved one are in need of an evaluation, our February clinics are offered on the following dates:
--HURON Tues Feb 3 & Wed Feb 4-Crossroads/Huron Event Center
--ABERDEEN Tues Feb 10 & Wed Feb 11--Marriott TownPlace Suites
--MITCHELL Mon 16 & Tues Feb 17--Highland Conference Center
--WATERTOWN Thur Feb 19 & Fri Feb 20--NEW LOCATION--The Watertown Event Center (Old Ramkota)

If interested in scheduling an appointment please e-mail the following to healingspirit@santel.net:
--First & last name as it appears on your ID
--Reason for seeking treatment
--Date of birth
--Phone number
--Valid e-mail address (if different than the e-mail used to send in this information).

Please contact our office at (605) 796-4701 for more information.

And as always, if you believe this may be helpful to others, please share this post!

01/07/2026

These ideas support mental wellness! And we could all use a little more connection in today’s world!

Food for thought for all the moms out there with kiddos.
This year, maybe skip the big, pressure-filled New Year’s resolutions—the ones we beat ourselves up over when they don’t last past three weeks.

Instead, try gentle, realistic resolutions.

Enjoy each day in a different way.
Make lists—and don’t make them impossible. Put the most important things at the top, and let the “it’d be nice” items stay optional.
Create simple household routines, and once everyone is tucked in, give yourself 30–45 minutes just for you. Choose something relaxing and enjoyable—no guilt attached.

Little prep habits help more than we realize: picking out clothes, packing bags, setting things by the door or even in the car. It might feel like extra work at night, but it brings so much calm to the morning.

One of the most important resolutions—especially while raising kids—is making time for connection. Each month, look at your calendar and choose a day or two to meet up with someone special. A friend date doesn’t have to be hours long. Even one hour can do wonders for your mental health.

My personal closing thought for all of us:
We’ve lost a lot of real connection in a tech-heavy world. Human interaction matters—it’s healthy, it’s grounding, and it reminds us we’re not doing life alone. 💕