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Medical Marijuana: Petition Drive Gets Underway for 2010 South Dakota Initiative

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #584)
Drug War Issues
Medical Marijuana
Politics & Advocacy
State & Local Legislatures
Ballot Measures
State & Local Executive Branches

In 2006, South Dakota became the only state to defeat an initiative legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana, with proponents coming close, but ultimately short, with 48% of the vote. Now, after the state legislature ignored an opportunity to act on the issue this year, activists are ready to try the voters once again.

South Dakotans for Safe Access filed papers Monday to put its proposed initiative on the 2010 ballot. Supporters need to gain 16,776 valid signatures of registered voters by next April 6 to make the ballot.

Under the proposed measure, patients with debilitating medical conditions and a doctor's recommendation -- or their designated caregivers -- could possess up to six plants and one ounce of usable marijuana, as well as incidental seeds, stems, and roots. Patients would register with the state and be issued ID cards.

The movement is in stronger shape in South Dakota this time, organizer Emmett Reistroffer of Sioux Falls told the Rapid City Journal. It has more patients, doctors, former law enforcement officials, and others than in 2006, he said. "They know this law is best for South Dakota versus what we have now, which calls these patients criminals," said Reistroffer.

The effort will run up against a Republican political establishment implacably opposed to medical marijuana. Attorney General Larry Long earlier this year refused the opportunity to work with proponents to address law enforcement concerns and objections. But at least one thing will be different: In 2006, the Bush administration sent the drug czar's office to South Dakota to energize opposition to that initiative. There is little indication the Obama administration will go to the same effort to interfere in state medical marijuana initiatives.

News Brief

This work by StoptheDrugWar.org is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

Thank you for the excellant article DWC!

Our movement is stronger than ever before, and since the kick-offf our circulators have gained over 1000 signatures in just the first 3 days!

Learn about the South Dakota Coalition for Compassion at www.SDCompassion.org

Thanks
Emmett

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 1:08pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

So many conditions and ailments are cured by this medicinal herb and it's a shame people ignore it just because it "gets you high."

Sun, 05/17/2009 - 12:04pm Permalink
John C. (not verified)

It's time for the truth to be spoken about the positive effects marijuana has for many people like myself. I have a complete spinal cord injury with the nasty side effects that are assisted with positive results when I smoke marijuana, and when I can't use it, there are no withdrawal effects. That's not talk, that's fact. The correct step is decriminalization, taxation, and budgetary shortfalls are a thing of the past. I'm not greedy, medical marijuana is the beginning of the road to sanity. Marijuana is not the gate way drug to alcohol, heroin or other powerful recreational drug use. It's not an intoxicant, but a euphoric effect that doesn't react with other pharmaceuticals for spinal cord injuries, or chemo treatments, it's not appropriate for those suffering Bi-Polar disease, or schizophrenia. Most of us who believe in medical marijuana have spoken with our physicians, and therapist's to understand our choices, and that's smart because we're not children. It really is the humane and proper course of action, the crime would be for South Dakota citizens not to approve medical marijuana. If you had the patience to read my comments, I thank you!
Best Regards, John C. Black Hills

Wed, 10/21/2009 - 5:40pm Permalink
NA (not verified)

Medical marijuana has saved my life and has giving me a value to life that nothing else could. More people need to see the benefits of this medicine and help others out like me. Please!

Fri, 02/19/2010 - 1:56pm Permalink
Victoria Foster (not verified)

i firmly believe god put marijuana on this earth for our benefit, and the benefits are abundant

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 12:03pm Permalink

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