South Dakota voters rejected Initiated Measure 29, the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization ballot initiative, on Tuesday with about 56% opposed and 44% in favor, Keloland Media Group reports.
The proposal sought to legalize the personal possession, cultivation, and consumption of cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. The initiative would have set the legal limit on possession at 2 ounces, with a 6-plant cap on home grows.
It was the third election in a row that South Dakota voters have considered the issue: voters approved an adult-use cannabis legalization initiative in 2020 but the measure was later struck down by the state Supreme Court, and voters rejected the reforms in 2022 with 53% of voters opposed.
Unlike previous legalization efforts, this year’s initiative would not have established a regulated cannabis marketplace — supporters previously said they would have worked with lawmakers to set up a distribution system if the initiative was approved.
The election results closely resemble polling results on the issue from earlier this year.
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