Protecting SD Kids

The opposition campaign to Measure 29 is called “Protecting SD Kids” – however, we are making the argument that cannabis legalization does more to protect South Dakota’s kids than cannabis prohibition. 

We do want to make one important point – Measure 29 does not legalize cannabis for individuals younger than 21. This email does not make the case that cannabis should be legal for those under 21, but rather that legalization for individuals 21 and older helps to keep cannabis out of the hands of those younger than 21.

Decreasing minor’s access to the black market:

Just because cannabis is illegal does not mean those who want it aren’t going to find a way to get it – think back to alcohol prohibition in the 1920s-1930s. 

National survey data conducted by the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study found that 56% of 12th graders who frequently used marijuana, accessed it through a dealer. Dealers don’t check IDs, don’t care if they sell cannabis to a minor, and don’t care if the cannabis is laced with a substance much more dangerous.

Suppose we shifted cannabis into a regulated system that checks IDs and follows strict protocols set in place by the state. In that case, there is no doubt that the black market will dwindle exponentially, and therefore, our kids will be safer. 

Encourage treatment and avoid convictions:

Many legal states have allocated their cannabis tax revenue to go toward substance abuse treatment and education – South Dakota could do the same. A few examples include: 

• In 2022, the California Department of Health Care Services awarded $58.5 million from the state’s cannabis revenue to 61 local organizations focused on youth substance use prevention. 

• Montana allocates the first $6 million of the state’s yearly cannabis tax revenue to the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment account before allocating the rest.

• New York allocates 20% of the state’s yearly cannabis tax revenue to drug treatment and education. 

A cannabis conviction can result in life-long damage. People with cannabis convictions on their record can have difficulty getting a job, buying a house, getting accepted into a university, or even applying for federal social benefits. I would like to think that every South Dakotan wishes to set our youth up for success – cannabis convictions do the opposite. 

Help us protect South Dakota’s kids and set them up for success by voting YES on Measure 29 on November 5th.