Hemp, drug laws set for legislative studies in South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota legislators have set some priorities for attention in the 2020 session, including hemp’s potential impact on the state, the fiscal and human impact of drug laws and access to mental health treatment.

The Legislature’s Executive Board has finalized topics for summer interim legislative studies, which take place every year while legislators are not in session. The lawmakers look at data and testimony from field experts to see how legislators can improve laws when they convene the following session.

The study on industrial hemp will look at the impact of legalizing the production of the crop in South Dakota and the costs to law enforcement. A bill to legalize hemp growth was passed by the Legislature in March, but was vetoed by Gov. Kristi Noem.

Another summer study, continuing last summer’s look at special education, was mandated by passage of legislation.

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