South Dakota officials cleared the way for paid circulationists to begin collecting signatures in support of a ballot initiative for marijuana legalization 2024 as the activist-led campaigns continue to evaluate the next steps.
Last month, South Dakotans For Better Marijuana Laws submitted a circulator’s handout. This requirement will allow the campaign the ability to use paid canvassers in addition to its grassroots network of volunteers that have been distributing petitions.
The new campaign materials feature the title of the State Attorney General and an explanation of the ballot measure. This material was approved in August.
Matthew Schweich told Marijuana Moment, on Thursday, that SDBML is “paying a small group of circulators to collect signatures but we haven’t launched the full-scale, paid signature drive.”
He said that the initiative is “moving forward in the right way” and that “a large number volunteers are working across the State,” as well volunteers who work at medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as other businesses supporting the effort.
Have you signed the petition for the legalization of adult-use marijuana on the ballot in November 2024? What are you still waiting for? Find a petition near you at https://t.co/3czxh3g6Zt pic.twitter.com/7B3CdaAqF9
— South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws (@southdakotamj) December 21, 2023
He said: “There’s a volunteer operation that has been growing, and we are working to raise money. We’ve made progress in this area.” “We don’t have the patience to wait for the paid circulation to begin, so we are starting small and hope to ramp it up as the weather improves.”
Schweich said that losing at the ballot in 2022 after South Dakota voters rejected a legalization initiative was “not an option.”
He said: “We are still not in a position where we can say that we have enough funds to run a successful campaign or get on the ballot, but we continue to make progress with fundraising.” “I am cautiously optimistic about the viability of this campaign.”
This is the third ballot attempt by the campaign. In 2020, voters approved a legalization measure. However, the initiative was later invalidated by state Supreme Court due to concerns about a single subject.
Even if activists get funding and secure ballot positions this year, it will not be enough to convince voters who rejected legalization during the last election.
This was the third poll in a row. This was third poll in a line showing the legalization initiative behind.
, a separate proposed ballot measure for legalization in 2024, sponsored by Rapid City resident Emmett Riestroffer, received its final ballot clarification from the state Attorney General. This initiative would allow adult users to possess and cultivate cannabis. Medical marijuana dispensaries could also serve adult customers. The chief supporter of the initiative says that he does not plan to collect signatures nor campaign for the change.
Separately opponents of legalization filed two additional proposed ballot measures for tightening drug laws in the State. The first would repeal South Dakota’s medical marijuana laws, and the second would prevent federally prohibited substances from being legalized.
In August, the state attorney general completed the ballot explanation for medical marijuana repeal measure. SDBML said recently that the initiative should be thrown out because it was not filed correctly. It did not include a complete list of state statutes.
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Gov. After voters approved the legalization of medical cannabis in 2020, Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, tried to convince the legislature to pass a bill that would delay implementation by an additional year. The bill passed the House but negotiators failed to reach an agreement in the Senate conference. This was a blow to the Governor.
Noem’s office began exploring compromise in response. One proposal from her administration was to decriminalize the possession of up one ounce cannabis, limit patients to only three plants, and prevent people under 21 years of age from being eligible for medical marijuana.
The House in the 2022 session rejected a bill of legalization that had been passed by the Senate. This left it to the activists to try to get back on the ballot.
In November 2021, a Marijuana Interim Study Committee headed by legislative leaders was formed to examine cannabis policy reform. The panel recommended that the legislature consider legalization. This recommendation was directly responsible for the House-defeated bill.
Currently, more than 11,500 South Dakotans hold medical marijuana cards — nearly twice the number of cardholders expected by state officials to join the program in 2024.
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The article South Dakota Officials clear Marijuana Legalization campaign to launch paid signature drive for 2024 Ballot Initiative first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
