PIERRE, S.D. – A South Dakota man who attempted to change a ballot initiative by gathering signatures to repeal medical cannabis is now attempting to change it again as a newly elected state legislator.
When Measure 26 was approved by South Dakotans in 2020, it allowed the use of medical marijuana.
There was an attempt to overturn IM 26, according to New Approach South Dakota Executive Director, Melisa Mentele.
“Representative Ismay did attempt to run a ballot initiative that would do the exact same thing. Repeal the entire law. He failed to gain support of the people of South Dakota,” said Mentele.
Now, as a representative, Travis Ismay, Newell, S.D., is hoping to change medical cannabis laws through legislation.
“His sponsor’s ask is pretty outrageous to wipe out the entire program. It would revert patients back to being convicts. It would shut down a $1,000,000 industry in our state. It would shut down a section of the Department of Health, but it would really have a horrible impact on patients,” said Mentele.
When asked what options parents have if medical marijuana is not available for their child, Mentele had this to say:
“Those parents have become felons because as a parent that had a child with seizures, we will do anything we can to make sure that our kids have what they need. I don’t understand why he would want to completely wipe out a ballot initiative by almost 300,000 South Dakotans,” said Mentele.
Representative Ismay did not have a comment at the time of publication and says he doesn’t know yet if he’ll have any co-sponsors.
