MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The South Dakota Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced two substance-related bills to the full Senate on Wednesday, Jan. 21, but did so without making a “do pass” recommendation — an uncommon move that signals disagreement on the proposals.
The committee voted 7-0 to send Senate Bill 61 forward “without recommendation” after hearing testimony on restricting intoxicating hemp-derived THC products outside of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Retailers and hemp industry representatives told lawmakers the bill could force stores to pull large portions of inventory and, in some cases, shut down.
Later in the same meeting, the committee took the same approach on Senate Bill 77, which would ban kratom and kratom products and establish penalties. Testimony included both supporters citing public health and law enforcement concerns and opponents urging regulation instead of an outright ban.
Committee minutes show unsuccessful motions to postpone both measures to the 41st legislative day before lawmakers advanced each bill without recommendation. The bills now move to the Senate floor for further consideration.