S.D. Legislative session graphic. Photo courtesy Dakota Radio Group.
By Kyle Ireland, SDBA
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota House lawmakers rejected a bill to decriminalize, regulate and tax marijuana Tuesday. House Bill 1045 failed with a vote of 31 to 36.
The bill would have reduced the charge for possessing small amounts of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor for people over the age of 21. It also would have imposed a 15% tax on marijuana sales and provided for the distribution of that money to counties.
Opponents of the bill argued it was rushed and doesn’t fully consider the consequences of legalizing marijuana.
Supporters said the bill followed the will of the voters without actually legalizing marijuana.
A similar bill passed out of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee and will be considered on the Senate floor.
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