Proponent Arguments

IM 29 is a simple, common-sense policy that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over in South Dakota. By voting yes, you can protect personal freedom, improve public health and safety, and restore the will of the people.

• WILL improve public health and safety. Instead of wasting time and resources on arresting people for cannabis possession, law enforcement can focus on fighting real crime in our communities. At the same time, we can replace the illicit market with licensed businesses selling products that are tested for safety.

WILL strengthen the economy and generate new tax revenue: Cannabis businesses will create new jobs for South Dakotans, including farmers, while also providing new opportunities for a range of existing small businesses. Legalization will also reduce spending on incarceration and generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state every year.

• WILL protect medical cannabis patients from arrest: For many seriously ill people, including those suffering from cancer, epilepsy, and MS, cannabis is the only medicine that can relieve their pain without debilitating side effects. Even though our state has established a medical cannabis program, access is still too difficult and too expensive for many South Dakotans.

• WILL withstand legal challenge: The measure is simpler and shorter than previous cannabis initiatives and designed to withstand any legal challenge.
• WILL NOT increase teen drug use: Measure 29 only legalizes cannabis for adults 21 or older. Studies analyzing tens of thousands of high school students in Colorado and Washington show that teen cannabis use has not increased since those states legalized cannabis for adults in 2012.
• WILL NOT increase crime rates: Analysis from states that have legalized cannabis has found that the policy does not increase crime rates.

Matthew Schweich, Executive Director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws and
Quincy Hanzen, Deputy Director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws

Opponent Arguments

IM 29 opens the door for increased crime, suicide rates, traffic fatalities, workplace injuries, reduction in workforce, mental health problems and youth use. This measure would harm South Dakota children, families, communities. IM29 will:

*Harm children: If a drug is legal, children think it is safe and will try it. Marijuana is not safe! A research report on child abuse stated, “Marijuana is the substance most identified as actively used by the perpetrator in child abuse and neglect related fatalities.” *Increased addiction rates: Research shows that marijuana is a highly addictive gateway drug that increases abuse of opioids, fentanyl, alcohol, meth and other illicit drugs.

*Increased costs to communities: With dramatic increases in emergency room visits, crime, mental health effects and traffic accidents, insurance rates and taxes increase. For every $1 in revenue, Colorado spends $4.50 in countering the damaging impact of legalization.

*Increase in crime rates: Statistics show that 50% of men and 30% of women arrested for a crime test positive for marijuana. Read our news! More violent crime in South Dakota.
*Fuels cartel presence and the black market: Colorado, Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Washington are all experiencing this reality. The remoteness of parts of our states and fast growth in our cities will make it harder for law enforcement to protect you, your children and your property from the detrimental effects legalization will bring to your community.

*Increases mental health and physical health problems: Over 20,000 peer-reviewed articles link marijuana to mental health issues. AMA has linked it to heart and stroke in adults.
South Dakota already has laws that allow people to use marijuana products for health reasons. We cannot sacrifice the health and safety of our children and our communities for this addiction-for-profit industry, leaving South Dakotans to pay the price.

VOTE NO ON IM29!

Jim Kinyon, President, Protecting South Dakota Kids
Rhonda Milstead, Executive Director, Protecting South Dakota Kids
Travis Ismay, Concerned Citizens of South Dakota
Dr. Forrest Brady, MD and Dr. April A. Anderson, LPC, EdD