SD HB1065

Removes the broad medical purpose affirmative defense that previously allowed any person with a practitioner's recommendation to defend against cannabis prosecution without formal registration

Requires defendants to have been registered with the department as a cardholder, nonresident cardholder, or designated caregiver at the time of the alleged offense to claim the medical defense

Eliminates previous allowances for unregistered possession of up to 3 ounces of cannabis, cannabis products, and cultivation of up to 4 plants under the affirmative defense

Repeals § 34-20G-53, which explicitly stated that a registry identification card was not required to raise the medical purpose affirmative defense

Narrows the defense to only apply when the conduct underlying the offense complied with the medical cannabis chapter requirements