South Dakota Lawmakers Reject Bid to Overturn Medical Cannabis Program

A proposal to repeal South Dakota’s medical cannabis law has been shot down by a legislative committee, keeping the voter-approved program intact. The narrow vote reflects ongoing tensions over marijuana policy in the state, where past efforts to legalize recreational use have repeatedly failed.

Committee Blocks Attempt to Scrap Medical Cannabis Law

In a 7-6 vote, the South Dakota House Health and Human Services Committee rejected a bill that sought to repeal the state’s medical marijuana program. The legislation, introduced by Republican Rep. Travis Ismay, faced immediate pushback from lawmakers who viewed the effort as excessive.

Ismay, arguing that the medical cannabis program had morphed into de facto legalization, defended his proposal by questioning whether voters truly understood the distinction between medical and recreational marijuana. His concerns, however, failed to gain enough traction to advance the bill.

Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, also a Republican, led the opposition against Ismay’s measure, urging lawmakers to work through the existing regulatory framework rather than scrapping the program altogether. “This is just too extreme,” Rehfeldt said, suggesting that concerns be addressed through the committee overseeing the cannabis program.

Voters Have Rejected Full Legalization, But Medical Cannabis Stays

South Dakota’s marijuana laws have been a rollercoaster. Voters approved medical marijuana in 2020, and in that same election, they also passed an adult-use measure. However, the state Supreme Court later struck down the recreational law on procedural grounds.

Since then, efforts to legalize recreational cannabis have repeatedly failed at the ballot box. Voters rejected adult-use measures in both 2022 and 2024, making it clear that while South Dakotans support medical marijuana, they remain hesitant about full legalization.

This legislative push to dismantle the medical program suggests some lawmakers remain unconvinced even by its limited scope. But the committee’s decision signals that, for now, the state’s voter-backed system is here to stay.

The Medical Cannabis Program Under Fire

Ismay’s argument hinges on the claim that South Dakota’s medical cannabis program is being abused. He contends that the law allows for an overly broad interpretation of “medical use,” creating a loophole that leads to what he sees as near-unregulated consumption.

Critics of his bill, however, argue that the state has already taken steps to tighten regulations. Rehfeldt pointed to ongoing efforts by the medical cannabis oversight committee to refine the law, making it clear that lawmakers have avenues to address concerns without dismantling the entire system.

The failed bill adds to a broader debate playing out across conservative-leaning states, where medical cannabis has been accepted but full legalization remains a hard sell. South Dakota is not alone in navigating these tensions—other states, including Mississippi and Alabama, have also faced resistance from lawmakers skeptical of marijuana reforms.

What’s Next for Cannabis in South Dakota?

The rejection of Ismay’s bill does not mean the debate is over. Opponents of the program may push for further restrictions, and lawmakers still have room to propose modifications to existing rules.

Some key takeaways from the latest developments:

• The medical cannabis program remains intact after the narrow 7-6 committee vote.
• Lawmakers opposed a full repeal but may still consider changes through the oversight committee.
• South Dakota voters have rejected full legalization twice in recent years, despite initially approving an adult-use measure in 2020.

As the state grapples with its approach to cannabis policy, all eyes will be on whether new regulations emerge or if efforts to repeal medical cannabis resurface in future legislative sessions.