Cannabis in South Dakota

Adult-use cannabis is illegal.
Medical cannabis was legalized by voter action in 2021.

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Sen. John Thune - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Quote: “It’s an area that’s still evolving, and our country’s views on it are evolving … How we deal with it nationally I think is still an open question.” (2021)
  • Quote: “We laugh about it and make jokes about where those brownies come from, but I think it’s a dangerous path. They’re going to pay a price for it in Colorado, and in fact, I think they already are.” (2015)
  • Quote:While I understand that people have strong opinions on both sides of this debate, I do not support legalizing the use of marijuana. Currently, the medical benefits from the use of marijuana are still inconclusive, and I believe that we must be careful not to increase the availability of marijuana and the use of marijuana for nonmedical reasons. However, I support the development of alternative medications that will provide relief to patients without opening the door to substance abuse.” (2014)

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Sen. Mike Rounds - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Said he does not support medical marijuana legalization or allowing banks to provide services to legitimate marijuana businesses. (2016)

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Rep. Dusty Johnson (At-Large) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)

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Gov. Kristi Noem - R

Has Not Supported Adult Use Legalization In Their State

  • Governor Noem vetoed a bill which would have automatically removed simple marijuana charges and convictions from public background records if the violation was more than five years old, saying: “It also essentially codifies a convicted person’s ability to be dishonest about their previous arrest and conviction by not requiring disclosure of the prior drug conviction.” (2022)

  • Quote: “I believe if we move ahead with industrial hemp and we aren’t prepared with it from a regulatory standpoint, from an enforcement standpoint, if we don’t have the equipment and dollars to do this correctly, we will be opening the door to allowing marijuana to be legalized in the state of South Dakota.” (2019)
  • From Noem’s campaign website: “Whether the gateway drug is marijuana or a legal prescription painkiller, the slope toward addiction can often be a slippery one. As governor, I will oppose all attempts to legalize marijuana.” (2018)
  • Said she will not support medical cannabis without FDA approval. (2018)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)

Take Action in South Dakota

Start a NORML chapter in South Dakota

CLICK HERE

Connect with a Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter in South Dakota

CLICK HERE

Connect with New Approach South Dakota

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Register to Vote in South Dakota

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