South Dakota voters will once again decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana, an issue with a frustrating history for ballot initiative supporters in the conservative state.
On Monday, Secretary of State Monae Johnson’s office approved a measure for the November general election. It will be the third time Voters in South Dakota have weighed in on the question.
In 2020, voters passed a measure that was eventually crushed in court. In 2022, voters defeated another attempt.
Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana. Ohio voters did that most recently, in November 2023. Florida voters will also vote on this topic this fall. And there are other efforts underway in other states, including North Dakota.
The measure in South Dakota would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older. The proposal has a possession limit of 2 ounces of marijuana in a form other than concentrated cannabis or cannabis products. The measure also allows the cultivation of plants, with restrictions. The measure’s promoters plan to work with the Legislature to implement business licensing, tax and other regulations, if successful.
“We believe South Dakotans deserve to make their own choices about the way they live their lives, including the freedom to use cannabis responsibly,” said Zebadiah Johnson, political director of the Campaign to End Recreational Marijuana legalize, in a statement.
Opponent Jim Kinyon, president of Protecting South Dakota Kids, said the state’s voters already had a say on the issue and turned down recreational marijuana in 2022. He criticized supporters’ repeated attempts to put the issue to a vote.
“How many times does the state of South Dakota have to reject recreational marijuana before the industry accepts the state’s decision?” Kinyon said.
“I expect the industry will triple its funding in an effort to sway and discourage voters,” said Jim Kinyon, president of Protecting South Dakota Kids.
There are other measures initiated in response to the South Dakota vote this fall protect abortion rights, to repeal and implement the state food tax “top two” primary election system.
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Ballentine contributed to this report from Columbia, Missouri, and Dura contributed from Bismarck, North Dakota.
