Possible Medical Marijuana Vote in South Dakota Closer to Reality

Medical marijuana proponents will get a chance to put the issue to a vote. Before it comes to that, the cultivation stage is here.

The release of Attorney General Marty Jackley’s explanation for an initiated measure to allow South Dakotans with serious medical conditions to use marijuana moves the process another step forward. Jackley sent the necessary paperwork to the Secretary of State's office.

Under South Dakota law, the Attorney General is responsible for preparing explanations for proposed initiated measures, referred laws, and South Dakota Constitutional Amendments.

Next to happen will be the petition organizers needing to do their own assignment with the Secretary of State. Then signatures need to be gathered to the tune of 13,871 valid autographs by November 8, 2015.

Target date for a public vote would be the general election in November 2016. However, passing such a measure will not be easy based on past history.

Similar measures have been recently defeated twice by South Dakota voters. Attorney General Jackley believes more ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments may be forthcoming.