South Dakota’s attorney general issued a draft explanation on Friday for a second proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Unlike a separate would-be initiative filed earlier this year, the new proposal includes plans for licensed, regulated retail sales to adults in addition to legalizing possession and home cultivation.
The measure, sponsored by Rapid City resident Emmett Reistroffer, “allows individuals 21 of age or older to possess, grow, ingest, and distribute marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia,” the draft attorney general’s statement says, adding that adults could possess up to three ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants, with no more than 12 plants per household.
The Department of Health would be authorized to issue dual-use licenses to existing medical marijuana dispensaries to begin adult-use sales. Local governments couldn’t prohibit dual-use licensees entirely, but they could limit the number of licenses available within their jurisdictions.
“The measure legalizes marijuana-derived substances considered felony controlled substances under State law,” the explanation says. “Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.”
An attached copy of the proposed ballot initiative also specifies that adults could possess up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis as well as other non-concentrated cannabis products containing less than