House passes bill to keep pregnant or breastfeeding women from being certified for medical cannabis; Bill to be heard next in a Senate committee

JANUARY 25, 2023:

A bill that prevents a doctor from issuing a medical marijuana card to a pregnant or breastfeeding woman passed in the South Dakota House of Representatives  yesterday afternoon (Jan. 25, 2023).

The sponsor, Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch, said House Bill 1058 was needed to protect pregnant women’s and their babies’ health. He also said the new law would not impact pregnant or breastfeeding women who already have a medical marijuana card.

There was no opposing testimony when the bill was in committee.

The measure passed the House 68 to 8.

The bill now goes to a Senate committee.

JANUARY 24, 2023:

This morning (Jan. 24, 2024), a South Dakota House committee passes a bill preventing physicians from certifying pregnant and breastfeeding women for a medical marijuana card.

House Bill 1053 passed the House Health and Human Services Committee on a party-line 11 to 2 vote.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch from Florence, said the bill would not impact a pregnant or breastfeeding woman who already had a medical cannabis card.

Dr. Benjamin Aaker, an emergency room physician from Brandon, testified there are not many studies on marijuana and its impact on women, fetuses, and babies. However, he said the studies indicate cannabis use could lead to pre-term deliveries, decreased birth weights, and later, hyperactivity by the offspring.

Jeremiah Murphy, a lobbyist for the cannabis industry in South Dakota, said his group also supports the measure.

Democratic Rep. Kameron Nelson from Sioux Falls, an opponent, said the bill interferes with the relationship between a woman and her doctor. “Give women a time-out,” Nelson quoted one of the proponents. “That’s a scary notion.”

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.