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Whether the recreational use of marijuana should be legal is again on the South Dakota ballot.
Recaps of all of seven ballot measures will be published in The Aberdeen Insider throughout October. Find information about all of the proposals at southdakotasearchlight.com. Click on the brown voter guide button at the top of the page on the right.
The approval of Initiated Measure 29 would legalize the use, possession and distribution of marijuana by people 21 and older.
Attorney general’s explanation
This initiated measure allows individuals 21 years of age or older to possess, grow, ingest and distribute marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia. Individuals may possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana in a form other than marijuana concentrate or other marijuana products. Individuals may possess up to six marijuana plants with no more than 12 plants per household.
The measure also places limits on the possession of other forms of marijuana and marijuana products.
MORE: Poll: Most South Dakota voters oppose recreational marijuana measure
Under the measure, the possession, ingestion and distribution of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia remains illegal for people younger than 21. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
The measure restricts where individuals may possess or consume marijuana, such as schools or where tobacco is prohibited.
The measure allows employers to restrict an employee’s use of marijuana. Property owners may also regulate the use of marijuana on their property.
The measure does not affect state laws dealing with hemp. It also does not change laws concerning the state’s medical marijuana program.
The measure legalizes marijuana-derived substances considered felony controlled substances under state law. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Judicial or legislative clarification of this measure may be necessary.
Vote yes to adopt the initiated measure.
Vote no to leave South Dakota law as it is.
Official pro and con statements
The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office is directed by state law to publish pro and con statements from a proponent and opponent of each ballot question.
Pro statement
Initiated Measure 29 is a simple, common sense policy that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older. By voting yes, you can protect personal freedom, improve public health and safety, and restore the will of the people.
The measure:
Improve public health and safety. Instead of wasting time and resources on arresting people for cannabis possession, law enforcement can focus on fighting real crime. At the same time, we can replace the illicit market with licensed businesses selling products that are tested for safety.
Will strengthen the economy and generate new tax revenue. Cannabis businesses will create new jobs for SouthDakotans, including farmers, while also providing new opportunities for a range of existing small businesses. Legalization will also reduce spending on incarceration and generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state every year.
Will protect medical cannabis patients from arrest. For many seriously ill people, including those suffering from cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, cannabis is the only medicine that can relieve their pain without debilitating side effects. Even though our state has established a medical cannabis program, access is still too difficult and too expensive for many SouthDakotans.
Will withstand legal challenge. The measure is simpler and shorter than previous cannabis initiatives and designed to withstand any legal challenge.
Will not increase teen drug use. IM 29 only legalizes cannabis for adults 21 or older. Studies analyzing tens of thousands of high school students in Colorado and Washington show that teen cannabis use has not increased since those states legalized cannabis for adults in 2012.
Will not increase crime rates. Analysis from states that have legalized cannabis has found that it does not increase crime rates.
-Matthew Schweich, executive director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, and Quincy Hanzen, deputy director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws
MORE: Your letters: Readers sound off on upcoming election
Con statement
IM 29 opens the door for increased crime, suicide rates, traffic fatalities, workplace injuries, reduction in workforce, mental health problems and youth use. This measure would harm South Dakota children, families and communities. It will:
Harm children. If a drug is legal, children think it is safe and will try it. Marijuana is not safe. A research report on child abuse stated, “Marijuana is the substance most identified as actively used by the perpetrator in child abuse- and neglect-related fatalities.”
Increase addiction rates. Research shows that marijuana is a highly addictive gateway drug that increases abuse of opioids, fentanyl, alcohol, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
Increase costs to communities. With dramatic increases in emergency room visits, crime, mental health effects and traffic accidents, insurance rates and taxes increase. For every $1 in revenue, Colorado spends $4.50 in countering the damage of legalization.
Increase crime. Statistics show that 50% of men and 30% of women arrested for a crime test positive for marijuana.
Fuel cartel presence and the black market. Colorado, Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Washington are all experiencing this. The remoteness of parts of our state and fast growth in our cities will make it harder for law enforcement to protect people from the detrimental effects of legalization.
Increase mental health and physical health problems. More than 20,000 peer-reviewed articles link marijuana to mental health issues. The American Medical Association has linked it to heart and stroke in adults.
South Dakota already has laws that allow people to use marijuana products for health reasons. We cannot sacrifice the health and safety of our children and our communities for this addiction-for-profit industry.
-Jim Kinyon, president, Protecting South Dakota Kids; Rhonda Milstead, executive director, Protecting South Dakota Kids; Travis Ismay, Concerned Citizens of South Dakota; Dr. Forrest Brady, Dr. April A. Anderson
Tags: 2024 electionballot measuresCannabishealthIM 29Initiated Measure 29lawsmarijuanapoliticsrecreational marijuanaSouth Dakotavotevotersvoting
“}]] Whether the recreational use of marijuana should be legal is again on the South Dakota ballot. Read More