Activists work to defend medical cannabis law; 2024 ballot could be another battleground

After defending the voter-approved medical cannabis law in the state legislative session earlier this year, activists may need to mobilize again after opponents filed a 2024 ballot initiative proposal in July to repeal the state’s medical cannabis program.

At the same time, as neighboring Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis legalization program opens up, activists are hopeful to make another attempt at legalizing cannabis for adult use in 2024 when voter turnout should be more favorable for the issue.

After a lawsuit overturned a 2020 ballot initiative in South Dakota to legalize cannabis, MPP led the charge to put the issue back on the ballot in November 2022. Unfortunately, the statutory initiative that would have legalized cannabis for adults known as Measure 27, was defeated 52.9% to 47.1% in the 2022 midterm election where voter turnout was significantly lower than 2020.

Stay connected

To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in South Dakota, be sure to subscribe to MPP's alerts, if you haven't done so already.