The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to kill a bill that offers a defense for certain marijuana charges, including a medical necessity. Some legislators say they are hesitant to move forward legalizing any type of marijuana use in South Dakota, but say they understand that some terminally ill patients may benefit from it.
Representative Blaine Campbell says this bill is not about legalizing marijuana but is instead about individual rights.
“I tend to look at this from the point of compassion, regardless of what your thoughts might be on either side of the issue. This is not quote a marijuana bill, it is in my mind a bill about compassion,” says Campbell.
Opponents of the bill say marijuana is a gateway drug. Others say marijuana should not be legalized because it likely would not be subject to the same rigorous testing that other prescription drugs are.