Why it matters: South Dakota State Representative Fred Deutsch, who has long opposed the state’s medical cannabis system and urged others to vote against provisions such as adding qualifying conditions like PTSD, has obtained a South Dakota medical cannabis card himself, reportedly to test the system and find flaws.
What they are saying: Deutsch has expressed concerns about the system’s details, which he says should be more closely monitored, and has suggested that all home-grown cannabis be eliminated altogether, with dispensaries the only distribution outlet. He has been promoting regulations around medical cannabis bills.
The big picture: South Dakota stands out among other states, due to the fact that its adult-use cannabis law was approved and then reversed. The state also legalized cannabis for medical use in 2021, but the drug can only be purchased by patients with medical cannabis cards.
What to watch: Sophisticated tracking systems in states with legalized cannabis already exist. The vast majority of medical and adult-use dispensaries check for ID and have to comply with laws. Any data that comes out of Mrs Deutsch’s experiment with the medical cannabis system could give legislators a better understanding of where the state’s program should go next.
My take: It is heartening to see someone with a previously entrenched viewpoint coming around to at least examine a system they opposed. If Deutsch is genuinely testing South Dakota’s medical cannabis system to identify flaws and make it safer and better, that can only be welcomed. However, if he is using it purely for political point-scoring, that would be a shame. With cannabis still to achieve full legality in the United States, it is important that debates are guided by solid, accurate information to ensure that those who need cannabis for medical use feel confident in the safety and effectiveness of what they are taking.
