South Dakota cannabis history
Reviewed
Initiated Measure 26, medical use, took effect July 1, 2021, after voters approved it on November 3, 2020. The Supreme Court declared adult-use Amendment A invalid on November 24, 2021. Official returns for a recreational-use measure list 189,916 yes and 237,228 no in 2024.
This is a short history, not legal advice. The rules that apply today are on the South Dakota cannabis laws page. A date is included only when the linked page states it.
At a glance
November 3, 2020The official returns booklet lists Initiated Measure 26 at 291,754 yes and 125,488 no. An unofficial results site showed a slightly different pair of totals.
November 24, 2021The court held that Amendment A violated the single-subject requirement, 4 to 1.
Current criminal statuteThe criminal code still says no person may knowingly possess marijuana. Cardholders have a separate medical exemption.
Votes and the court case
- Codified Laws 34-20G-2 cites Initiated Measure No. 26, approved November 3, 2020, effective July 1, 2021.
- The Unified Judicial System’s summary is the page used for the invalidity of Amendment A.
- The returns booklet titles the measure an initiated measure legalizing the recreational use, possession, and distribution of marijuana.
Sources
- Initiated Measure No. 26, approved November 3, 2020, effective July 1, 2021
- violated the single-subject requirement
- an initiated measure legalizing the recreational use, possession, and distribution of marijuana
- 291,754 yes and 125,488 no
- no person may knowingly possess marijuana
Citations were checked against the linked pages on October 24, 2026. Claims without a statute, election result, regulator page, court opinion, or news report were left out.