South Dakota Coalition Takes Aim at Legalization
May 7th, 2009 by Russ
The South Dakota Coalition of Compassion is on a mission to turn South Dakota into a weed treatment-friendly state. Headed by upstart and recent high school graduate, Emmett Reistroffer, the group aims to put a medical marijuana measure on the state ballot in 2010.
In a moving manifesto on the group’s website, Reistroffer notes:
South Dakotans will go to the polls in 2010 to pass the SDSAA (South Dakota Safe Access Act) with pride and prestige; a reflection of the compassionate and caring values that bind our families and traditions.
No longer shall we accept the insane and cruel deprivation of medicine for people who suffer from Glaucoma, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Lupus, and other tragic illnesses.
Reistroffer was anointed when former coalition leader, Bob Newland, was arrested on a trumped up weed possession charge three weeks ago. Newland’s arrest simply reinforces the need for groups such as these to reform pot laws and end the demonization of non-violent drug users.
The Coalition for Compassion needs nearly 17,000 signatures to get on the state referendum’s radar screen. It appears that they’re off to a running start.
South Dakota Faces Growing Meth Problem
November 14th, 2008 by Perry
Like many states across the country, methamphetamine abuse is even becoming a problem in South Dakota, the United States’ 48th most populated state, according to a recent editorial by the Native American Times.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) recently started a bi-partisan effort in the state to raise awareness of the problems associated with the drug, which is also seeing a disproportionate rise in usage among the youth of its Native American population and in schools.
2006 Marijuana Mid-Term Results
November 8th, 2006 by Alex
Well, all the results are in and it’s time to get them out to the public. The conclusions from these mid-term elections are mixed. Seeing how close some of the major ballots came to being passed, it looks like we’re on the right track towards legalization.
Honorable mentions go to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Massachusetts for passing ordinances and low level resolutions aiding in the deprioritization of marijuana arrests.
Read below to see official sites and measure summaries:
California
Measure P (Santa Barbara) – Complete pot deprioritization
Measure K (Santa Cruz) – Complete pot deprioritization
Measure Y (Santa Monica) – Complete pot deprioritization
Colorado
Amendment 44 – Legalization of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for adults 21+ years old
Montana
Initiative 2 (Missoula) – Complete pot deprioritization
Nevada
Question 7 – Remove all civil penalties for the private possession, create state-wide system for taxation & distribution
South Dakota
Initiated Measure 4 – Allow the physician-authorized use of cannabis for medicinal purposes
[all data via NORML]
Marijuana Reform Breakdown
November 4th, 2006 by Alex
TalkLeft has put together a nice, quick breakdown of the upcoming marijuana reform initiatives that are taking place in Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota. This years’ mid-term elections are not only important because of the obvious Democrat vs. Republican struggle, but also because these measures might be the first steps toward legalization.
Public opinion is starting to swing in many states. Organizations like LEAP and SAFER Colorado are doing their part to improve awareness and promote the benefits of herb rather than the demonization and scare tactics employed by the US government.
Overall, even if these measures don’t succeed (and I sure as hell hope they do), I still believe we are on the path towards a more intellectual approach to smoking. When you compare the benefits and drawbacks against many other legal substances in the US, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
[via TalkLeft]
