Initiated Measure 27 would have legalized “the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana” for adults ages 21 and over in South Dakota. Polling showed the bill’s chances of approval, which were slim to begin with.

South Dakota’s 2020 voters approved 26 Initiated Measure and legalized medical marijuana with 69% support. South Dakota’s voters approved a measure on the ballot to legalize adult-use marijuana. Constitutional Amendment A was approved by 54% of voters, according to election records. Governor. The bill was stopped from seeing daylight by Krisi Noem, two Highway Patrol officers and Gov. The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled on Nov 24, 2021, that the measure couldn’t be implemented because it violated a requirement that constitutional amendments deal with just one subject.

A group that is proposing South Dakota medical marijuana in 2020 has accused several state officials of illegally campaigning against the state’s pro-cannabis laws.

Earlier in the month, New Approach South Dakota said that it has filed information requests in an effort to find out whether state officials violated the state’s election laws by voicing opposition to the pot-related proposals. 

“Your tax dollars should not be used to promote any politician’s personal political agenda,” the group said in a Facebook post. “The state, an agency of the state, and the governing body of any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state may not expend or permit the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of any candidate, or for the petitioning of a ballot question on the ballot or the adoption or defeat of any ballot question. This section may not be construed to limit the freedom of speech of any officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision who is speaking in the officer’s or employee’s personal capacity. This section does not prohibit the state, its agencies, or the governing body of any political subdivision of the state from presenting factual information solely for the purpose of educating the voters on a ballot question.”