Anti-pot lawmaker issued medical marijuana card by South Dakota health office

Legislator says he sought certification as part of fact-finding mission into ‘pop-up’ clinics

South Dakota lawmaker Fred Deutsch is among the most staunch opponents of the state’s recent loosening of its cannabis prohibitions.

The Florence Republican has been on the frontlines of a crusade to tighten up the Department of Health’s medical marijuana program since its inception in 2021. He’s worked to pass legislation that narrows who qualifies to use cannabis for medical purposes, and he’s tried to raise the alarm about how those folks obtain a medical card.

And when Deutsch returns to Pierre in 2024 for the state’s next winter lawmaking session, he’ll have a medical marijuana card of his own.

Deutsch told The Dakota Scout this week that he intends to use the card he received this week through DOH. But not to buy any marijuana.

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