Our Team
Matthew Schweich
Executive Director
Matt ran the 2020 campaign that passed Amendment A and Measure 26, managed the grassroots legislative campaign to defend Measure 26 against political attacks in Pierre in 2021 and 2022, and led the Measure 27 campaign in 2022. He was instrumental in the creation of the Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota.
Matthew also serves as the Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis reform organization. Over the past four election cycles, Matthew has played a leadership role in ballot initiative campaigns (relating to both cannabis policy and election reform) in ten states including cannabis reform victories in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah.
He is a proud graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys playing soccer and basketball, as well as watching TV with his miniature dachshund (Winnie) by his side.
Matt’s motivation for working to reform cannabis laws is to increase access to medical cannabis treatments for Americans with chronic health conditions.
Quincy Hanzen
Deputy Director
Quincy worked as the Measure 27 Deputy Campaign Director in 2022 and managed the recent 2024 signature drive. Born and raised in South Dakota, she is a proud graduate of South Dakota State University with a B.A. in Political Science. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking and spending time with her fiancé (Noah), dog (Charlie), and cat (Pepper).
Quincy got involved in reforming South Dakota’s cannabis laws in 2021 during the signature drive for Measure 27. She quickly became very passionate about the need for less-restrictive cannabis policies after learning first-hand how unjust cannabis-related convictions are negatively impacting hundreds of South Dakotans' lives.
Zebadiah Johnson
Political Director
Zeb joined SDBML as a field organizer for the Yes on 27 campaign in 2022 and continued his work through the recent 2024 signature drive. He is a 5th generation South Dakotan, and graduated from South Dakota State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Political Science. Outside of work, Zeb enjoys lifting weights with his younger brother and cheering on the Jackrabbits.
Zeb started with SDBML hoping to expand personal liberty in South Dakota. He believes that ending cannabis prohibition will limit government intrusion into South Dakotans’ private lives and allow the state to focus resources on more pressing issues such as education and social services.
Rachel Christenson
Outreach Director
Rachel joined the team in 2022 as a Field Organizer for the Yes on 27 campaign and continued her work through the 2024 signature drive. She is a proud graduate of South Dakota State University with a B.A. in Political Science. In her spare time, she enjoys live music and backpack camping with family and friends.
Like so many South Dakotans, Rachel was frustrated by the will of the people being overturned on a legal technicality in 2020. She believes that important, multi-faceted policies like cannabis legalization should be left to the voters to decide directly, and that vote should be respected.
Jamie Giedd
West River Coordinator
Jamie’s passion for cannabis reform comes from her personal experience with PTSD and the dangers of the pharmaceutical treatments available.
Volunteer, notary public, and advocate extraordinaire, Jamie joined the cannabis reform efforts in 2019 as a volunteer circulator and notary public for Amendment A and Measure 26. Jamie volunteered again in 2021 and 2022 by circulating Measure 27, providing notary services, and coordinating the Rapid City IM27 campaign headquarters. Jamie ran for District 32 House of Representatives in the spring of 2022 as a pro-cannabis candidate who was “Dedicated to the will of the voter above all else.”
Jamie testified before the House Health and Human Services Committee in support of SB 1 during the 2023 legislative session. SB 1 added PTSD, along with cancer, epilepsy, MS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, AIDS, and HIV, to the list of qualifying conditions for a medical canabis patient card. Jamie’s testimony was integral to the success of SB 1. On the most recent cannabis signature drive, Jamie worked to help coordinate the Black Hills efforts.
Born and raised in De Smet, Jamie is a fifth generation South Dakotan who loves the Black Hills! Jamie earned her bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, and she relocated to Rapid City in 2013. Jamie dedicated her life to public service when she joined the criminal justice field in 2015. Jamie is a paralegal who provides legal operations and administrative support. In her free time, she enjoys advocacy work as the Director of Community Engagement for Liberty and Justice for All.