South Dakota state lawmakers wrapped up week three of this year’s legislative session with medical cannabis continuing to take center stage. A few of the bills that received support from lawmakers this week include:
- Senate Bill 04 will revise provisions related to a written certification for the medical use of cannabis. The measure was amended to remove a section that required a physician to put in writing that the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of cannabis, which was approved by Senators in both committee and on the Senate floor.
- Senate Bill 23 is an act to revise the definition of bona fide practitioner-patient relationship. The measure was amended to define this relationship now more clearly as, a treatment or consulting relationship between a practitioner and patient. The bill also outlines specific expectations including an in-person examination, reasonable and expectation that the practitioner providing the written certification will continue to provide follow-up care to the patient to monitor the medical use of cannabis. The measure received a passing vote in both committee and the Senate Floor.
- Senate Bill 24 establishes a maximum number of cannabis plants that may be cultivated by a medical cannabis cardholder. The measure was amended by removing a section of the bill that indicated physicians would decide on the number of plants to be prescribed to a patient. Closely related is SB 116 which will repeal a physician’s ability to prescribe the number of cannabis plants a cardholder may cultivate.
Late this week several bills were filed, including eight vaccinations bills. So far none have been scheduled for a hearing, but we anticipate several to be taken up in committee during weeks 4 and 5.
A few more bills we are keeping our eye on:
- HB 1242 will allow medical practice on the basis of conscience.
- HB 1180 will permit designated visitors in nursing facilities.
- Senate Bill 102 is the funding mechanism for two pieces of legislation that will expand Medicaid in South Dakota.
- Senate Bill 163 is an act to address transparency in prescription drug pricing.
For the latest information on this year’s legislative session, the SDAHO advocacy team will continue to update our Bill Tracker and advocacy webpage, while providing daily updates on our social media platforms.
