So. Dak. Legislature replies, "La, la, la, la"

Josh Luitjens carries a 4.0 at Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls. He also suffers from Colitis/Crohn's Disease, which manifests itself in the form of diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea.

"Conventional" medicine has results varying from pretty good control of symptoms to almost no effect. Josh's treatment has had little effect on what he describes as "this very annoying disease." His doctor is searching for new medicines. Meanwhile, Josh achieves effective relief by using cannabis.

He had medicated before bed on January 20, 2014, in his room at student housing. Someone smelled the smoke and the staff (which has the right to search his room any time) confronted him. He owned up and showed them his stash, amounting to a gram of cannabis. The cops came and arrested and charged him with misdemeanor possession of "marijuana" and possession of paraphernalia (if you have weed, you have paraphernalia; the container is "paraphernalia").

Southeast Tech could have kicked him out of the housing, but chose not to because of his explanation for his use. That argument will not be available to him in court. South Dakota (and federal) law says there is "no medical use" for cannabis. Regardless of the obvious legal defense of "prevention of a greater harm," that defense is not allowed in South Dakota courts even though the accused is simply defending his own life against the predations of a disease.

This is just one more example of the unspeakable cruelty of South Dakota law, promoted by nearly every South Dakota legislator in the face of irrefutable evidence that cannabis is, in many cases, life-saving and life-sustaining therapy.

Here is just one of thousands and thousands of medical abstracts that testify to the efficacy of cannabis in relief of various adverse medical conditions.

http://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/356512