Politics

Legislators advance bill prohibiting medical marijuana for pregnant women

SDPB | By Evan Walton

Published March 2, 2023 at 10:58 AM CST

View of the South Dakota Capitol Building in winter.

The Senate Health and Human Services committee met for the final time this legislative session Wednesday.

Lawmakers discussed House Bill 1053, which would prohibit pregnant and breastfeeding women from acquiring medical cannabis cards.

Rep. Fred Deutsch is the prime sponsor of the bill. He said it is necessary to combat pregnancy risks.

“Dangers in the neonatal period for a pregnant mother includes 2.3 times greater risk of still birth, risk of low birth weight, pre-term delivery, increased NICU admission, lower APGAR scores and altered responses to the baby,” said Deutsch.

Sen. Erin Tobin is the Chair of the committee. She said HB 1053 presents a clear message from the legislative body.

“I think that we can signal that the legislature agrees that pregnant women should not be using marijuana, and I will be voting to pass this,” said Tobin.

The bill passed the committee on a six to zero vote. It now heads to the Senate floor.

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