SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota voters will decide on a measure to allow medicinal marijuana after a petition to put the issue on the November ballot was validated by the state.
Secretary of State Steve Barnett announced on Thursday that the petition had enough valid signatures to be put on the ballot for the General Election next year. The measure would allow patients with chronic or debilitating health conditions to use and possess up to three ounces of marijuana. They would need to get a registration card from the state’s Department of Health.
Medical marijuana card holders could also grow cannabis plants, but the number of plants would be regulated by the state.
Previous efforts to get a vote on medical marijuana have failed. Ballot petitioners must gather 16,961 valid signatures in South Dakota to have their measure decided on at polling stations. The medical marijuana measure is the first petition to be certified for the election.