PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem says South Dakota is going backward with the legalization of marijuana.
“We need to be finding ways to strengthen our families, and I think we’re taking a step backward in that effort.”
Noem also says she is very disappointed that state government will have to grow, that millions of dollars will have to be spent for public safety, and to set up new regulatory systems.
The voters approved both recreational and medical marijuana in Tuesday’s election.
Legalization is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2021. State agencies are already prepping to pave the way. The State Legislature will likely be involved in setting up the regulatory systems.
South Dakota is apparently the first state to approve recreational pot and medical pot at the same time.
