Pregnant, breastfeeding women won't be allowed medical marijuana cards under proposal

Tuesday’s debate includes themes that are expected when abortion hits the Capitol

Rep. Fred Deutsch, R-Florence, testifies Jan. 24, 2023 on his bill that would not permit pregnant or breastfeeding women to be certified for medical marijuana cards. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

A debate over whether pregnant women in South Dakota should be able to be certified for a medical marijuana card foreshadowed some of the themes that will likely emerge when abortion takes center stage at the state Capitol.

Ultimately, Republicans on the House Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to restrict pregnant and nursing mothers from accessing medical marijuana cards, while the committee’s two Democrats voted against House Bill 1053.

While not a perfect proxy for the abortion debates expected to take place, Rep. Fred Deutsch, the bill’s prime sponsor, has been a strong supporter of the pro-life movement in his political career. And committee Chairman Kevin Jensen, R-Canton closed the hearing with these words: “Once a woman is pregnant, we are discussing two people involved in this equation – not one.”

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