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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020

Is South Dakota’s governor backing efforts to overturn a just-approved ballot initiative legalizing marijuana?

Isabella Jorgensen, Gigafact Foundry
yes

A sheriff and a highway-patrol superintendent are seeking to overturn an amendment to South Dakota's constitution legalizing recreational marijuana. Gov. Kristi Noem approved the use of state funds to help fund their lawsuit seeking to void the measure, which won 56% support in the November election.

The lawsuit claims the amendment violates a "one-subject rule" limiting the scope of any proposed amendment, and that it was improperly introduced, asserting that what was called an amendment was really more of a revision.

"In South Dakota, we respect our constitution," Gov. Noem said. A spokesperson added that defending the state's constitution is part of her duty as governor. "I just don't see smoking pot as a gateway to helping people be better," she told a Sioux Falls newspaper in October.

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