As the November 5 election day draws near, the Yes on 29 campaign held a press conference today to rally support for their initiative, which would legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota if approved by voters.

Measure 29 marks the third attempt over the past four years by the group South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws to secure legalization in the state. The new measure, Measure 29, seeks to legalize the possession, use, and distribution of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over, while also allowing them to grow up to three plants for personal use. The measure also proposes a regulatory framework for commercial sales, including licensing and taxation provisions aimed at generating revenue for the state.

In 2020, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws successfully passed Amendment A, which similarly sought to legalize recreational marijuana. However, the amendment was later overturned by the state’s Supreme Court, which ruled that it violated the state’s single-subject rule. The court found that the measure’s provisions were too broad, encompassing multiple unrelated issues within a single proposal.
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Legal marijuana sales in Colorado garnered the state over $23 million in tax revenue in August alone.

Data compiled and released by the Colorado Department of Revenue shows that the state made $21,653,062.79 in taxes from marijuana sales in August, in addition to $1,428,958.52 in licenses and fees. Combined, the state made $23,082,021.31.

The year-to-date tax revenue made from marijuana sales in Colorado is now $173,986,426. All-time marijuana tax revenue (since January 2014) is $2,792,144,158 .
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For the third time in just four months, Maryland has broken a record for monthly marijuana sales, and for the first time ever sales have passed $100 million.

According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, there was exactly $100,624,451 worth of marijuana sold legally in August. A strong majority of these sales —$73 million— was purchased by recreational marijuana consumers, with around $27 million purchased by medical marijuana patients.

The $100.6 million is nearly $3 million more than the total sales for July’s ($97.9 million), which was at the time a new monthly record.
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Actor Woody Harrelson, the co-owner of the West Hollywood marijuana lounge The Woods, is calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1775 into law.

“We just need a little tiny crumb, and that is the ability to sell non-cannabis items in the lounge,” said Harrelson in a video posted on the Instagram of Assemblymember Matt Haney (D), the sponsor of AB 1775. “I don’t see how that hurts anybody. Let’s please make this happen.”

Harrelson continues by saying “I mean, my god, it’s not easy. We’re trying to do the right thing. I’m not a rule person. I’m actually an anarchist. I don’t even like government. But here I am trying to do the right thing, and I hope that Newsom will also do the right thing.”
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Five days into its grand opening, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, has attracted over 10,000 visitors without a single reported arrest involving patrons or employees.

The store, which opened its doors to the general public on September 7, offers marijuana to anyone 21 and older, regardless of tribal membership, marking a significant moment in the state’s cannabis landscape.

Concerns had initially arisen that police might target customers leaving tribal land with marijuana, as it remains illegal in North Carolina. However, there have been no arrests linked to those purchasing marijuana at the store. Despite initial fears of potential legal complications, law enforcement has not intervened in the activities of patrons or employees.
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A veterans group in Missouri is condemning state regulators over a September 11 raid of their post, in which officials were searching for unapproved cannabis beverages. The raid occurred “immediately after lowering our flag to half-staff” to honor those lost on 9/11 and in the wars that followed.

VFW Post  2661.

In a social media post, VFW Post  2661 said “The MO Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) raided our VFW Post on the morning of 9/11 in search of “adulterated” beverages that violate Gov. Parson’s hemp-adulturated food product “embargo” which, as he says is intended to “protect children”. To be clear, VFW Post 2661 does NOT sell adulterated products; all beverages are in compliance with Revised MO Statute 196.070, Par 12.2 which states “A food shall not be considered adulterated solely for containing industrial hemp, or an industrial hemp commodity or product”. Also, hemp is Federally legal in all 50 states under the 2018 Farm Bill. Lastly, ALL sales from our canteen are sold to persons 21 and older.”

The group says that “While we normally appreciate visitors to our beautiful Post home, we are not sure that raiding a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on September 11th immediately after lowering our flag to half-staff in remembrance of the thousands of lives taken from us 23 years ago today and for the 50,000 + Service Members and DoD Civilians that have lost their lives fighting in the wars that stemmed from that horrible day was the best or most respectful time to do it. We also are curious how raiding a VFW canteen for these products achieves the Governor’s “goal” of protecting children.”
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A petition has been filed in Arkansas to allow those with female orgasmic disorder (FOD) to become legal medical marijuana patients.

The petition was filed today by Sarah Hanson, a resident of Centerton. Sarah, a sexual health educator focused on pleasure-based education for women, submitted the petition to the Arkansas Department of Health, as is required by law.

There is some precedent for this move. Earlier this year medical boards in both Connecticut and Illinois overwhelmingly approved adding female orgasmic disorder to their state’s medical marijuana program.
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick has revealed a comprehensive plan to legalize marijuana in Indiana.

Jennifer McCormick (photo credit: Whitney Downard / Indiana Capital Chronicle).

Following Ohio’s recent decision to legalize marijuana, Indiana is now bordered by three states where cannabis possession is legal.

McCormick’s proposal focuses on establishing medical marijuana access for Hoosiers with a clear path toward full adult-use legalization.
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