11-04-2020, 08:25 PM
Recreational marijuana passes in South Dakota
South Dakota voters believe marijuana prohibition in the state has run its course.
That's the takeaway from the outcome of the 2020 election that saw the narrow passage of Constitutional Amendment A, which legalizes the possession, transportation and distribution of up to an ounce of pot for adults in the state 21 and over, and resoundingly adopted medical marijuana.
With 616 of 693 precincts across the state reporting, the Associated Press declared the amendment victorious, paving the way for South Dakota become just the 14th state in the country to fully legalize cannabis. Voters passed it by a 53-47 margin.
More:Recreational marijuana passes in South Dakota
"We had full confidence that a majority of South Dakotans, if given the opportunity to vote on (marijuana), would realize the economic, health and social justice benefits of marijuana reform. And they did," said Drey Samuelson, political director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the ballot question committee formed in support of Constitutional Amendment A. "No longer will South Dakotans have to potentially face the loss of their jobs, their reputations or their freedom for doing what in 11 other states i perfectly legal."
The margin in which Constitutional Amendment A was in line with pre-election polling done by Argus Leader and KELO TV as well as separate polling done by No Way on A, the ballot question committee formed in opposition to the measure, was in line with Tuesday's results, showing a slim majority of voters planned to vote in favor of recreational marijuana.
Fueling that support high profile marketing campaign by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, which raised more than a million dollars in the weeks leading up to the election.
More:South Dakotans vote to legalize medical marijuana
No Way on A director David Owen noted in an interview with the Argus Leader that much of those dollars came from out of state and dwarfed the $130,000 or so anti-pot group brought in. Where No Way on A lacked in campaign finances, it tried to make up for it with high-profile support from the likes of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, who both vocally opposed opening marijuana up for recreational use.
Regardless of the results, Owen said No Way on A ran a strong campaign that simply came up short when the voters made their wishes known.
"You put your faith in the voters," he said. "I think South Dakota voters are thoughtful and you live with the conclusion of the voter."
Where there is opportunity for tinkering of adopted initiated measures by the state Legislature, an amendment to the state Constitution cannot be as easily adjusted by lawmakers. That's why Samuelson is confident that the state will have no choice but to adhere to the wishes of the voters when Constitutional Amendment formally takes effect on July 1.
And that sends a strong message to Pierre that regardless of the positions of elected lawmakers, it's the voters who hold the power, he said.
"Passage of (both marijuana measures), which were vehemently opposed by Governor Noem, by the Legislature and by the entire South Dakota political establishment, will send a signal that, as the state motto says, under God, the people rule," he said.
https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/p...147937002/
South Dakota voters believe marijuana prohibition in the state has run its course.
That's the takeaway from the outcome of the 2020 election that saw the narrow passage of Constitutional Amendment A, which legalizes the possession, transportation and distribution of up to an ounce of pot for adults in the state 21 and over, and resoundingly adopted medical marijuana.
With 616 of 693 precincts across the state reporting, the Associated Press declared the amendment victorious, paving the way for South Dakota become just the 14th state in the country to fully legalize cannabis. Voters passed it by a 53-47 margin.
More:Recreational marijuana passes in South Dakota
"We had full confidence that a majority of South Dakotans, if given the opportunity to vote on (marijuana), would realize the economic, health and social justice benefits of marijuana reform. And they did," said Drey Samuelson, political director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the ballot question committee formed in support of Constitutional Amendment A. "No longer will South Dakotans have to potentially face the loss of their jobs, their reputations or their freedom for doing what in 11 other states i perfectly legal."
The margin in which Constitutional Amendment A was in line with pre-election polling done by Argus Leader and KELO TV as well as separate polling done by No Way on A, the ballot question committee formed in opposition to the measure, was in line with Tuesday's results, showing a slim majority of voters planned to vote in favor of recreational marijuana.
Fueling that support high profile marketing campaign by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, which raised more than a million dollars in the weeks leading up to the election.
More:South Dakotans vote to legalize medical marijuana
No Way on A director David Owen noted in an interview with the Argus Leader that much of those dollars came from out of state and dwarfed the $130,000 or so anti-pot group brought in. Where No Way on A lacked in campaign finances, it tried to make up for it with high-profile support from the likes of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, who both vocally opposed opening marijuana up for recreational use.
Regardless of the results, Owen said No Way on A ran a strong campaign that simply came up short when the voters made their wishes known.
"You put your faith in the voters," he said. "I think South Dakota voters are thoughtful and you live with the conclusion of the voter."
Where there is opportunity for tinkering of adopted initiated measures by the state Legislature, an amendment to the state Constitution cannot be as easily adjusted by lawmakers. That's why Samuelson is confident that the state will have no choice but to adhere to the wishes of the voters when Constitutional Amendment formally takes effect on July 1.
And that sends a strong message to Pierre that regardless of the positions of elected lawmakers, it's the voters who hold the power, he said.
"Passage of (both marijuana measures), which were vehemently opposed by Governor Noem, by the Legislature and by the entire South Dakota political establishment, will send a signal that, as the state motto says, under God, the people rule," he said.
https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/p...147937002/
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