Matt Schweich with South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws Interview | Local News

The upcoming November 8^th general election has two significant issues the people will vote for. Medicaid and whether to recreationally legalize cannabis (IM27). KXLG News had the story on Protecting South Dakota Kids, an anti-marijuana group, and they held an open public discussion on the adverse effects of cannabis. 

Follow this link for more information on them and their claims. https://www.protectingsdkids.com/

A proponent group, South Dakota for Better Marijuana Laws, has been lobbying and campaigning for legalization. To find out more information, KXLG News spoke to their campaign manager, Matthew Schweich.

First, why legalize recreational if medicinal is already available…

Schweich talks about the benefits they claim…

Another concern is the workforce, which is already challenging to find; they are concerned that the companies with drug tests will have an even more difficult time hiring.

The government has implemented advertising laws on alcohol and tobacco with concern for children. Some argue the packaging and various edibles can also attract and be dangerous to children.

Schweich addresses the issue…

Schweich continued that IM27 does not have any policy on the packaging; the state will work on making regulation policies if it were to get approved.

Protecting South Dakota Kids has some “facts” available on their website stating, for instance

• In Colorado, for ages 12 and older, marijuana usage increased by 26% and is 61% higher than the national average, currently ranked 3rd in the nation.
• Marijuana and child abuse and death the #1 drug associated with a child’s death is marijuana.
• In Colorado, marijuana is found in 34% of the teens who commit suicide aged 15-19.

• Adolescent marijuana use is associated with increased depression, suicide, and psychosis.

Schweich doesn’t feel those are accurate and talks about their “facts”…

Schweich says out of the 19 states that have approved recreational cannabis, and none have repealed the approval. He also addresses cannabis being a gateway drug.

Below is a link for the South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws.

https://measure27.com/

We have attached the full interview to the article on mykxlg.com. Both website links are within the article, and you can follow this link to ensure you are registered to vote.

https://vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx