South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws has collected more than 12,500 signatures for their marijuana legalization campaign.
In 2020 an initiative to legalize marijuana, also put forth by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, was approved by voters during the general election ballot. Due to a technicality, it was subsequently thrown out by the courts. In 2022 a similar initiative was placed on the ballot but rejected by voters 47% to 53%.
Now, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws says it has collected over 12,500 signatures, 71% of their goal of 17,508, the required number to put the measure to a vote this November. The group has until May 7 to reach this number.
The initiative would legalize marijuana for everyone 21 and older while establishing a system of licensed and taxed marijuana retail outlets, supplied by licensed growers and producers.
According to polling release last month, a plurality of voters in the state support legalizing marijuana, 45% to 42%. Although support for legalization was 2% lower than support for the 2022 initiative, opposition to legalization was 10% lower than opposition to the 2022 initiative. Based on this data, just 28% of those who remain undecided would need to vote in favor of a legalization initiative for it to pass.
Recently we put South Dakota on our list of “The 4 States That Still Have a Legitimate Shot to Legalize Marijuana This Year”. For the full list, click here.
