A bill to decriminalize, regulate and tax marijuana in South Dakota has been rejected. House Bill 1045 failed with a vote of 31 to 36.
The bill would reduce the charge for possessing small amounts of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor for people over the age of 21.
It also imposes a 15 percent tax on marijuana sales and provides for the distribution of that money to counties.
Opponents of the bill argue it was rushed and doesn’t fully consider the consequences of 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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