The approval by South Dakota voters of a pair of ballot measures that legalize both possession of cannabis for adults and a medical cannabis program means there are some potentially difficult decisions ahead for county and municipal governments across the state.
While the South Dakota Legislature will have to establish some regulations regarding cannabis in the 2021 session, Yankton City Manager Amy Leon says the ballot measures leave it up to local governments to decide many issues including whether dispensaries or shops will be allowed within their jurisdiction.
Leon says zoning and hours of operation regulations for dispensaries may need to be established.
Leon says she intends to discuss the issue of enforcing the current law prohibiting possession of cannabis with Police Chief John Harris.
The South Dakota Secretary of States’ Office reports that Amendment A which legalizes marijuana possession for adults passed in Yankton County by a margin of 54 to 45 percent.
