Pot Politics In SD: Why Did This Anti-Marijuana Lawmaker Get Himself A Medical Marijuana Card?

A South Dakota lawmaker who has been clamping down on the state's 2021 medical cannabis law and has opposed loosening regulations on several occasions now has his own medical marijuana card.

According to The Dakota Scout, state Rep. Fred Deutsch (R) plans to use his permit not to buy marijuana but to conduct research into medical cannabis 'pop-up' clinics – one of many issues he tackling this year.

House Bill 1129, which he sponsored, sought to regulate medical marijuana 'pop-up clinics' and other aspects of the state's medical marijuana law.

"Pop-up clinics," Deutsch said at the time, "are a creation of the marijuana industry. They weren't part of the initiated measure. They're not currently part of the law. Doctors are hired by pop-up clinics and, in some cases, flown into South Dakota."

Even though his chamber colleagues passed the bill, it was subsequently tabled by state Senate members. However, another piece of legislation from Deutsch - HB 1154 – that sought to establish a rule under which medical marijuana assessments would be legal only if conducted in a "licensed health care facility," such as brick-and-mortar clinics and hospitals was enacted into law this spring by Governor Kristi Noem.

Medical Cannabis Is OK For Those Who 'Really' Need It

In a 2021 interview with KOTA, Deutsch said he is not against cannabis altogether. He approves its medical use in those who need it, yet continues raising concerns about its proven health benefits.

He questioned a recent Senate-backed push -  SB 1 approved by Gov. Noem - to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of for medical marijuana.

He pointed out that some studies show that marijuana use in populations with PTSD can increase the rate of suicide. "It's compassionate to vote on the evidence," Deutsch said in March. "To do otherwise is not."

While his stance on medical marijuana use by those with PTSD remains hazy, Deutsch was quite clear when it comes to pregnancy and cannabis.

His House Bill 1053, which sought to ban pregnant and breastfeeding women from accessing medical marijuana,  became law this spring.

What About Recreational Marijuana?

Meanwhile, his stance on the legalization of recreational cannabis is clear. He is firmly against it.

Earlier this year, the grassroots organization Protecting South Dakota Kids, where Deutsch serves as treasurer, presented a panoply of negative results they believed legalization would usher in, including an increase in teen consumption and adverse effects on brain functioning caused by long-term use, to name a few.

With pro-marijuana activists signaling their intentions to bring the same legalization ballot initiative back in 2024, Deutsch said they plan to set up a non-profit and put a lobbyist in Pierre for the following year's legislative session.

"This last year in Pierre, the pro-marijuana lobbyists outgunned us five to one, six to one... I didn't count them, but they were swarming the Capitol," he said. "The marijuana industry puts a lot of money into hiring these guys, and we hope to push back just a little bit."

Photo: Tim Foster on Unsplash