State lawmakers want to cap the number of plants that medical marijuana patients can grow at four.
That compromise comes after House and Senate lawmakers disagreed on whether to allow home cultivation of the plant.
The Senate previously voted to allow six marijuana plants — three capable of flowering, and three that are dormant. The House wanted to ban home-grown marijuana, which would force patients to buy from dispensaries.
Both chambers oppose the terms of the medical-marijuana law passed by voters in 2020. It calls for a minimum of three plants, but up to 99 plants with a physician's note.
Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch, who wanted to ban home-grow, brought a compromise of two flowering plants and two dormant.
“We wanted to give South Dakotans the security that both chambers came together and agreed on a single number. That’s really what this procedure was about.”
In the Senate, Michael Rohl says he supported the higher number of plants but is happy home cultivation will go forward.
“I’m glad to see that the House is understanding that banning home cultivation isn’t the right approach. I do wish that they would focus on the governor’s promise that they would provide the best medical marijuana program for patients."
Both chambers approved the compromise bill. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
