South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana

157,956 South Dakota voters -- 48% -- voted for the medical marijuana initiative, Initiated Measure 4, on November 7. But, unfortunately, these compassionate votes were not quite enough to protect South Dakota's seriously ill patients from being arrested for using medical marijuana with their doctors' advice.

Studies have shown that marijuana can alleviate vomiting and wasting caused by cancer and AIDS treatments, spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, debilitating pain, and glaucoma symptoms. Many doctors recommend that their patients use marijuana for medical purposes when other prescriptions have failed. But, sadly, brave patients like nerve gas victim Valerie Hannah and multiple sclerosis patient Cynthia Siragusa will continue to face arrest and jail for simply trying to preserve their health.

Initiated Measure 4 was closely based on Montana's medical marijuana law. It would have allowed seriously ill patients and their caregivers to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana for the patients' medical use. Patients would have sent their doctors' written certification to the department of health to obtain a registry ID card that would have protected them from arrest under state law.

Although the vote is disappointing, it is only a matter of time before science and compassion prevail in South Dakota. South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana is planning on giving voters another chance to protect patients from arrest in 2008 or 2010.

What is South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana?

South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana (SDMM) is the grassroots organization that worked to pass South Dakota's medical marijuana initiative, which received 48% of the vote on November 7, 2006.

What would the medical marijuana initiative have done?

The initiative would have protected patients and their caregivers from being arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for possessing and growing limited amounts of medical marijuana. The initiative also would have protected doctors from arrest, prosecution, and conviction for recommending medical marijuana.

South Dakotans Support Compassion

A 2002 Lucas Organization poll found that 64% of South Dakota residents support allowing seriously ill patients to use marijuana if recommended by a doctor.