South Dakota: Lawmakers Reject Bills That Sought to Dismantle State’s Voter-Initiated Medical Cannabis Access Program

Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted down a pair of bills today that sought to gut the state’s voter-initiated medical cannabis access program.

Specifically, Senate Bill 181 sought to close down the program, while Senate Bill 194 sought to restrict the types of cannabis products available to patients.

Over 18,000 South Dakotans are currently registered in the program, with participation having increased greatly in recent years. Seventy percent of South Dakotans approved a ballot measure in 2020 legalizing medical cannabis access.

NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano provided written testimony to the Committee opposing both bills. He said that efforts to repeal the program are “cruel and inhumane,” as are options to restrict patients’ ability to choose products that are best tailored to their individual needs.

Representatives of the state’s Department of Health also testified against SB 181, while members of law enforcement testified in favor of SB 194.

This is the second legislative session in a row where South Dakota lawmakers have proposed legislation to repeal the program. Armentano opined that lawmakers need to respect the will of the voters and accept the legitimacy of marijuana as a medicine. “Forty states and several US territories regulate medical cannabis access,” he said. “None of these states have ever repealed or rolled back these medical cannabis access laws. That’s because they are beneficial to patients, and they are supported by most physicians and healthcare professionals.”

NORML has legislative alerts available for over 80 marijuana-related bills. To take action on pending legislation in your state, click on NORML’s Take Action Center.