Tune in for updates on the two voter-approved marijuana measures, an outlook on the state budget, and a proposed bison interpretive center at Custer State Park on the next episode of South Dakota Focus, Thursday, February 18, at 8pm (7 MT) on SDPB1 and SDPB.org.
Amendment A, which legalized small amounts of recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, and hemp, and which voters passed by eight percentage points, was ruled unconstitutional last week by Circuit Court Judge Christina Klinger of Hughes County. Klinger ruled that the amendment violated the state constitution by breaching a provision that amendments can only deal with one subject. Klinger also said the amendment violated procedural rules for implementation in that it is not an amendment but a revision to the constitution. Governor Noem applauded the decision, but some lawmakers are still hoping to develop a legislative framework in the hopes that the South Dakota Supreme Court will uphold Amendment A as constitutional upon appeal.
Emmet Reistroffer, a policy consultant for the legal cannabis industry, joins South Dakota Focus host Jackie Hendry to discuss how South Dakota's approach to marijuana legalization compares to other states. Originally from Sioux Falls, Reistroffer relocated to Colorado in 2011, where he was involved in the campaign for full marijuana legalization.
In this week’s "Pierre to Peer," SDPB’s Lee Strubinger talks with Senator Reynold Nesiba. Nesiba, an Augustana University economics professor, serves on the Appropriations Committee. Nesiba will share his outlook on the state budget following Gov Noem’s announcement that revenues are even higher than expected.
And on this week’s "Why Is That?" SDPB’s Seth Tupper learns the backstory of a proposed Bison Interpretive Center at Custer State Park, the latest effort to manage and promote the park’s bison herd.