SD House Committee Hears Bill on Marijuana Defense

by Associated Press
January 31, 2013 11:04 AM


Two South Dakota lawmakers - one a police officer and the other a retired police chief - say people charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana should be able to defend themselves in court by arguing they need if for medical reasons.
 
Rep. Dan Kaiser is an Aberdeen police officer and Sen. Craig Tieszen is a retired Rapid City police chief. They told a South Dakota House committee their bill wouldn't legalize marijuana. But they say people suffering from cancer or other diseases should be allowed to use medical necessity as a defense if they're arrested for marijuana possession.
 
Opponents say the bill should be defeated because it would open the door to legalizing marijuana.
 
The Health and Human Services Committee delayed a vote on the measure until Tuesday.