PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Marijuana reform groups submitted petitions containing over 80,000 signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office this week, hoping to qualify two separate ballot initiatives for next year’s election.
One initiative would establish a medical marijuana program for qualified patients with debilitating health conditions. The other would legalize marijuana for adults aged 21 and older and require the state legislature to enact a hemp cultivation law.
Gov. Kristi Noem is against both initiatives.
Noem says recreational marijuana is unregulated and is dangerous for the next generation.
Noem says research shows marijuana does more harm than good.
The South Dakota Secretary of State must now verify the validity of the signatures to determine if the issues will be placed on the 2020 ballot.
Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults and another 22 states have enacted medical marijuana laws. South Dakota could become the first state to enact both policies on a single ballot.
