Measure to legalize cannabis officially qualified to be on November ballot
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) -On Monday, the South Dakota Secretary of State announced the proposed measure to legalize cannabis has officially qualified to be on the November 2024 ballot. Advocates for this measure emphasize the widespread national support for cannabis legalization.
“Nationally, over 66% of the United States is in favor of legalizing adult use of cannabis. We’re tired of seeing people go to jail for small amounts—less than two ounces of marijuana. It’s time for change, and South Dakota voters get to decide that in November,” Kittrick Jeffries, the CEO of Puffy’s Dispensary said.
If passed, this measure would legalize cannabis for people 21 and older.
However, not everyone is in favor of the measure. Jim Kinyon, chairperson of Protecting South Dakota Kids, says this measure would do more harm than good in the state of South Dakota.
“The reality is that marijuana is a dangerous drug that is very difficult to regulate. It quadruples the rate of psychosis for young adults and for teens that use that product. We also know that when recreational marijuana passes in a state, that’s the quickest way to see a dramatic increase in the use rate in our teens and young adults,” Kinyon said.
Jeffries says dispensary owners do a great job of regulating legal cannabis markets to ensure responsible usage.
“Typically, in all 25 states that have legalized adult use of cannabis, the medical program rules get adopted so that we can have safety and security to make sure that marijuana doesn’t get into the hands of kids,” Jeffries said.
South Dakota voters will have the final say on the upcoming November ballot.
For more information regarding the South Dakota Primaries in June, take a look at KOTA Territory’s Voter Guide.
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