House revives bill striking defense for medical pot

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota House Republican lawmakers have revived a bill to rid the state’s medical marijuana law of a provision that allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to avoid criminal charges for pot possession if they have not obtained a marijuana identification card. The bill has already passed the Senate. It was dismissed Wednesday (Feb. 23, 2022) by a House committee. But the bill was resurrected Thursday with support from one-third of the House in a maneuver called a “smokeout.” It would still need support from at least half the House to get a vote in the chamber.