South DakotaCannabis defendants would need registry cards to raise medical-use defenses
People facing cannabis charges would have to hold a registry identification card before raising the medical-use defense referenced in this amendment.
What it does
People facing cannabis charges would need a registry identification card to raise a medical-use defense—a legal argument that their medical use protects them from conviction.
Argument forRequiring a registry card could give courts a clear way to check registration before considering a person's medical-use defense.
Argument againstPeople who use cannabis for medical reasons but lack a registry card could be unable to raise this defense in court.
More detail
People would need a registry identification card to raise the medical-use defense. The requirement applies to people raising the medical cannabis defense referenced in § 34-20G-51. Having a card would allow someone to raise the defense; it would not guarantee that the defense succeeds.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 2Health and Human Services Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 23Latest
- Vote recorded Deferred to the 41st legislative day. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Health and Human Services Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 23 Amendment 1065DMajor
- Mar 2Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 18First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services S.J. 296Minor
- Feb 17House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 53, NAYS 13 H.J. 339
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to amend. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17House of Representatives Motion to amend , Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 31 H.J. 338 Amendment 1065CMajor
- Feb 12Health and Human Services Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 3 H.J. 17Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 22Referred to House Health and Human Services H.J. 113Minor
- Jan 15First Reading House H.J. 37Introduced
- Mar 2Health and Human Services Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 23Latest
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