Panel Kills Medical Marijuana Defense
by Associated Press
February 05, 2013 8:54 AM
A South Dakota House committee has rejected a measure that would have let people charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana argue in court that they need it for medical reasons.
The Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-6 to kill the bill.
The sponsors said they do not want to legalize marijuana or set up a distribution system where people could get it for medical purposes. But they said people suffering or dying from cancer or other diseases should be able to use medical necessity as a defense in court.
State and local law enforcement officials opposed the bill, saying it could open the door to eventual legalization of marijuana in South Dakota.
Jeff Rusack will have more on this story tonight on KDLT News.
