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Medical marijuana and regulating mixed martial arts bouts were among the issues dividing Sioux Falls-area lawmakers at Saturday's legislative forum.
Nine senators and representatives from districts 9, 13 and 14 took questions for 90 minutes Saturday morning, in the second of four legislative coffees sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and other groups.
One of the most controversial bills the South Dakota Legislature is considering this year, allowing schools to arm volunteer defenders, didn't spark a debate Saturday.
Instead, it was a bill to allow people charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana to cite medical necessity that provided one of the few spots of disagreement in the low-key forum.
Several lawmakers said they're skeptical of the medical marijuana proposal, House Bill 1227.
"A case was made that you ought to be able to break a law, if there's a higher good," said Rep. Steve Hickey, R-Sioux Falls.
"I would tend to agree with that until the higher personal good for you compromises what's best for those around you."
He said he worries marijuana is one of those cases.
Similarly, Rep. Mark Mickelson, R-Sioux Falls, said he probably is against the medical marijuana bill but expressed sympathy for people who use marijuana to treat chronic pain and other diseases.
Mickelson suggested that prosecutors and judges use discretion to impose minor sentences in those cases.
Less nuanced in opposition to the bill was Rep. Anne Hajek, R-Sioux Falls, who warned that "marijuana is a gateway drug" and said she was opposed to any steps toward legalizing the substance, though she too said the state shouldn't "throw people in jail for the use of marijuana."
Rep. Marc Feinstein, D-Sioux Falls, suggested that leniency to small-time marijuana users is humane and would relieve a burden on county jails.
Another bill, Senate Bill 84, has pitted lawmakers against Gov. Dennis Daugaard over whether the state should create a commission to regulate boxing, mixed martial arts and other fighting sports.
A large majority of the state Senate approved SB84, arguing that the sports might be distasteful but that regulation can help protect people.
"What we're talking about is a commission to regulate it so people don't get hurt," said Sen. Deb Soholt, R-Sioux Falls.
"It's happening in South Dakota. It's unregulated. Because of that, athletes are getting injured."
Hickey agreed with Daugaard that the bill would end up promoting these violent sports and cause more harm than good.
"Just because something is happening in the state doesn't mean we need to legitimize it," Hickey said.
Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford said she voted against SB84 not because of distaste for fighting sports, but because of concern about the state's fiscal liability if it created the commission.
South Dakota is caught in the middle, said Sen. Phyllis Heineman. "If we're not going to have a commission that regulates it ... then we should outlaw it," she said.
Heineman came down in favor of regulating the fights and voted for SB84.
Other issues discussed at the legislative forum included guns in schools, funding for Medicaid, illegal immigration and security deposits for rental apartments.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: argusleader.com
Author: David Montgomery
Nine senators and representatives from districts 9, 13 and 14 took questions for 90 minutes Saturday morning, in the second of four legislative coffees sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and other groups.
One of the most controversial bills the South Dakota Legislature is considering this year, allowing schools to arm volunteer defenders, didn't spark a debate Saturday.
Instead, it was a bill to allow people charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana to cite medical necessity that provided one of the few spots of disagreement in the low-key forum.
Several lawmakers said they're skeptical of the medical marijuana proposal, House Bill 1227.
"A case was made that you ought to be able to break a law, if there's a higher good," said Rep. Steve Hickey, R-Sioux Falls.
"I would tend to agree with that until the higher personal good for you compromises what's best for those around you."
He said he worries marijuana is one of those cases.
Similarly, Rep. Mark Mickelson, R-Sioux Falls, said he probably is against the medical marijuana bill but expressed sympathy for people who use marijuana to treat chronic pain and other diseases.
Mickelson suggested that prosecutors and judges use discretion to impose minor sentences in those cases.
Less nuanced in opposition to the bill was Rep. Anne Hajek, R-Sioux Falls, who warned that "marijuana is a gateway drug" and said she was opposed to any steps toward legalizing the substance, though she too said the state shouldn't "throw people in jail for the use of marijuana."
Rep. Marc Feinstein, D-Sioux Falls, suggested that leniency to small-time marijuana users is humane and would relieve a burden on county jails.
Another bill, Senate Bill 84, has pitted lawmakers against Gov. Dennis Daugaard over whether the state should create a commission to regulate boxing, mixed martial arts and other fighting sports.
A large majority of the state Senate approved SB84, arguing that the sports might be distasteful but that regulation can help protect people.
"What we're talking about is a commission to regulate it so people don't get hurt," said Sen. Deb Soholt, R-Sioux Falls.
"It's happening in South Dakota. It's unregulated. Because of that, athletes are getting injured."
Hickey agreed with Daugaard that the bill would end up promoting these violent sports and cause more harm than good.
"Just because something is happening in the state doesn't mean we need to legitimize it," Hickey said.
Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford said she voted against SB84 not because of distaste for fighting sports, but because of concern about the state's fiscal liability if it created the commission.
South Dakota is caught in the middle, said Sen. Phyllis Heineman. "If we're not going to have a commission that regulates it ... then we should outlaw it," she said.
Heineman came down in favor of regulating the fights and voted for SB84.
Other issues discussed at the legislative forum included guns in schools, funding for Medicaid, illegal immigration and security deposits for rental apartments.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: argusleader.com
Author: David Montgomery
