House Committee Passes Bill Regarding Medical Marijuana
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder would be added to the list of ailments medical providers could prescribe medical marijuana.
The House Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday passed Senate Bill-1 on an 8-to-5 vote after about an hour and a half of testimony and discussion.
The bill also removes the state Department of Health from decision-making for which disorders medical cannabis can be used. If passed, the measure would allow the legislature to add or subtract a diagnosis from medical marijuana usage.
Most of the discussion centered on PTSD. Becky Letsche of Madison, a former Army combat medic in Afghanistan, talked about her battle with P-T-S-D.
Opponents thought it was bad public policy and unsupported by science, including former state Senator David Omdahl of Sioux Falls.
The bill now goes to the House for final consideration.
