Cannabis
Is Kristi Noem Trying to Retract South Dakota Cannabis Legalization…Again?
Poor South Dakota has some of the worst leadership out there. Case in point, Kristi Noem; who seems to be trying to take away yet another voter-approved cannabis legalization.
South Dakota and cannabis
Before getting into the current story, let’s go through the mess of South Dakota and its cannabis legalization measures; and what has already been taken away. In 2020, South Dakota made history by passing two cannabis legalization measures via voter ballot. One for medical, and one for recreational.
Measure 26, a medical legalization law, passed with 70% of voters saying yes. Amendment A, a ballot to institute an adult-use recreational market, also passed with 54% giving it a yes vote. South Dakota was the first state to pass a medical and recreational bill at the same time. However, problems started right away; all pushed by governor, Kristi Noem.
Noem didn’t do everything directly. Instead, she backhandedly conspired with local law enforcement officers Superintendent Rick Miller and Sheriff Kevin Thom. They were the ones that filed a lawsuit to invalidate the recreational win, by saying it broke the single-subject ballot rule. This rule indicates a ballot measure cannot cover more than one topic. Of course, this is automatically strange, as the state supreme court had to approve the language of this (and any) ballot measure, in order to get it onto the ballot. Meaning it was approved before the vote.
The conspiracy between the three was made public on January 8th 2021, when Noem filed an executive order to repeal the recreational win; which made it pretty clear this was all at her behest. Noem had worked hard to keep these measures off the ballot, so this move was in line with her stated opinion of not wanting legal weed in any capacity.
She must have forgotten that a voter ballot isn’t about her opinion. In the end, presiding judge for the case Christina Klinger, ruled in favor of Noem. Klinger had been appointed to her job by Noem earlier. Later in the year, the Supreme Court upheld it, even though arguments against it included that it violated the direct will of the people.
What’s more, Noem didn’t stop with taking away a fairly won voter ballot for recreational weed. She tried to get a bill approved in congress to delay the opening of the medical market for a year later than the enforced date on the ballot, of April 1, 2022. Luckily she did not succeed on this one. Ballot measures are much harder for a legislature to amend since they don’t originate in the legislature. This is likely why she worked to invalidate Amendment A, rather than try to amend it. Basically, the people of the state voted in two measures, and their own governor did everything she could to invalidate their desires.
It gets so weird, that in 2022, South Dakota again held a recreational ballot measure, to make up for the one taken away by its governor. But get this, in a country that only gets more liberal toward weed, and in a state that already passed a legalization measure two years prior (which means two further years of liberalization on this front), somehow, this one didn’t pass. Perhaps Kristi Noem at it again? Working to make sure South Dakotans don’t get a fair legalization…?
Current news on South Dakota and cannabis
The news coming out of South Dakota now, isn’t directly related to Kristi Noem. But, its also really good to remember that when she worked to take away the recreational legalization, she did it quite backhandedly, going through law enforcement, and having them make the official move. So, it suffices to say that its not that out-of-bounds to think that a new policy attempt to remove the medical legalization, is simply Noem at it again.
This time around, the person officially pushing for the retraction, is activist Travis Ismay. Not a member of law enforcement or the legislature. And a guy who brazenly and publicly responded to a country commissioner who explained how medical cannabis helped his dying mother, with the line that he ‘doesn’t care’.
He also, apparently, defended an email with jokes about a clan lynching in his home of Butte Country. His argument against medical cannabis? It might lead to meth… or some crazy nonsense like that. I expect the guy stands by what he says, I also expect he made a great patsy for Kristi Noem; who has been working to take away voter-won cannabis rights since they were won.
Anyway, Ismay filed a petition to get the medical legalization repealed. And he didn’t stop there. This non-politician is also trying to keep future cannabis measures from entering voter ballots. As in, this private citizen wants to take it upon himself to ensure that other private citizens of his state, don’t get their voices heard. Ismay filed this paperwork back in May.
Shockingly (or not, in this state), attorney general Marty Jackley released a summary of the ballot, indicating that if Ismay collects the necessary 17,509 validated signatures, that the measure can be voted on. Luckily this is unlikely, as 70% did pass the original measure back in 2020. However, in a state where legislators and law enforcement continuously stamp on the rights of their residents, it also can’t be ruled out.
New efforts for recreational ballot
If Ismay gets his way, he could prevent future ballot measures for legalization in the state, so long as cannabis is illegal federally. Luckily, activist group South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is both working to block Ismay’s attempts; and gearing up for yet another recreational ballot measure in 2024. Unfortunately, it will not be for 2023. It seems Ohio is the only state with a voter ballot this election season; and it was a difficult process in that state too. There was so much push back from the legislature, it took an extra year.
In terms of dealing with Ismay, executive director of South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, Matthew Schweich, wrote to Secretary of State Monae Johnson, saying, as per Marijuana Moment, “We strongly believe that the rules of our state’s initiative process should be applied consistently to all South Dakotans. Therefore, we respectfully recommend that your office take the following action: revoke Ismay’s approved petition and direct him to refile it.”
Schweich continued that the petition to repeal doesn’t list the statutes meant to be undone; and in place of this, refers to “Exhibit A for the 95 sections that will be repealed.” However, an already existent statute makes clear that any petition must contain “the full text of the initiated measure.”
Explained Schweich, “Our interpretation of this statute is that a reference to additional text, in this case an exhibit, is not permissible. And even if a reference were permitted, in this instance ‘Exhibit A’ is not included anywhere on the petition. Furthermore, ‘Exhibit A’ is never defined in any previous initiative-related filing by Ismay with your office, the South Dakota Legislative Research Council, or the South Dakota attorney general.”
As of right now, South Dakota has 11,500 medical cannabis card holders. The expected number by 2024, wast 6,000; which shows medical cannabis is more popular than what the state predicted. By almost double. A retraction of the medical cannabis law would mean leaving these people who just won the right to have their medicine; completely without it. Talk about a state that really looks after its people! I guess Kristi Noem probably prefers that people take opioids. Or perhaps whatever opioid alternative is made by Sanford Health, her biggest contributor from 2009-2018.
Conclusion
Should South Dakota residents be afraid of losing their medical cannabis legalization? You’d think the answer would be a clear ‘no’ with a voter ballot that passed with 70% of the vote in 2020, and nearly twice as many medical patients as expected already enrolled. But in a state like South Dakota, this cannot be said for sure; as the governance has repeatedly gone out of its way, to trample on the well won rights of its people.
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Related
The federal administration is all over the board around fed cannabis policy…and millions of patients are worried.
The industry employees over 440,000 workers at all lives and is driven in a large part by mom and pop businesses. Millions use medical marijuana for health issues ranging from chronic pain to sleep. But there are mixed messages from the feds about cannabis, and people are very worried. The federal government’s stance on marijuana has become increasingly complex, as recent developments show conflicting approaches to the drug’s potential benefits and risks. On one hand, there’s a push for research into medical marijuana for veterans, while on the other, a campaign against cannabis use is being launched.
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The juxtaposition of initiatives highlights the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy. While some departments are exploring the potential benefits of cannabis, others are actively working to discourage its use. This dichotomy is further exemplified by ongoing legislative efforts. For instance, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it’s legal. Meanwhile, documents from an ongoing lawsuit suggest that the DEA may have weighted the marijuana rescheduling process to ensure rejection of moving the drug from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.
The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated nearly $10 million in funding for research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA for active-duty military members. This initiative, driven by congressional efforts, aims to explore MDMA’s effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) expressed pride in this development, stating that it could be a “game-changer” for service members battling these combat-related injuries.
Additionally, a bipartisan effort in Congress has been pushing for VA research on medical marijuana for PTSD and other conditions affecting veterans. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, introduced in both the Senate and House, would mandate studies on how cannabis affects the use of addictive medications and impacts various health outcomes for veterans.
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In stark contrast to these research initiatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has partnered with an anti-cannabis nonprofit to launch a social media campaign targeting young people. The campaign, set to run ahead of April 20 (4/20), aims to “flood” Instagram with anti-cannabis content. The DEA is offering monetary incentives to students for creating and posting anti-THC videos, with payments ranging from $25 to $50 depending on the type of content produced.
This approach has raised eyebrows, as it seems to contradict the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana across the United States. Critics argue that such campaigns may be out of touch with current societal trends and scientific understanding of cannabis.
Not everyone has access to marijuana to help them sleep – good news, hemp is available.
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Hemp contains several compounds contributing to better sleep quality. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of hemp, has shown potential in promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, which can often interfere with a good night’s rest. Studies suggest that CBD may help individuals fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep disturbances throughout the night.
When formulated and used properly, preliminary research and user reports suggest that hemp gummies improve subjective sleep quality. Users of quality hemp sleep gummies report feeling more rested, a better quality of sleep and fewer awakenings in the night. However, clinical research has shown that over consumption of THC negatively impacts the quality of sleep, especially with long term use.
Wana Brands has launched a hemp sleeping product nationally, Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation shared the following about how it works. Naturally hemp-derived sleep gummies contain the same cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and THC as cannabis or marijuana. These ingredients interact with receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, stress, and sleep-wake cycles. For example, CBD may promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, CBN can relieve discomfort and reduce awakenings, while THC can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, especially at low doses. Together, they may help ease the mind and body into a sleep-ready state.
The best sleep products don’t rely on just one cannabinoid like CBN but instead use a combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other sleep-supporting ingredients such as melatonin. This is because the reasons for sleeplessness are multifaceted, and include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, chronic, pain and anxiety. Each ingredient targets different root causes as well as synergizes with the other cannabinoids and terpenes for the best night sleep.
Longer lasting formulations can actually help reduce awakenings in the night. CBN has been shown in recent research to reduce the number of times you wake up in the night. Combined with other cannabinoids they can synergize to reduce discomfort and anxiety helping consumers stay asleep.
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If you do wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep products including CBD and CBG to reduce middle of the night anxiety and racing thoughts that can keep us awake, and they have only 1mg of THC so you wake up refreshed and not high in the morning.
For most people, hemp-derived cannabinoids are considered safe and non-intoxicating, with a low risk of dependence. When THC is included in small amounts, it can produce mild effects and can help us fall asleep faster. It generally poses a minimal risk when used in moderation, but there is a potential for dependence if overused, just like with any sleep aid. Adverse events are far more prevalent in pharmaceutical and even over the counter sleep aids than with hemp-derived cannabinoids.
The key is responsible use, including starting with a low dose and taking breaks when needed. If you rely on it every night at high doses, your body may adjust, and it can be habitual. But when used in moderation and with a well-balanced formula, cannabis can be a sustainable part of a healthy sleep routine.
Alcohol has some negative side effects, but cannabis could have one positive health benefit – it might help your good cholesterol.
In the late 1980s cholesterol test became come as the impact of it on the body and heart was becoming more evident. Research shows good cholesterol (HDL) helps remove excess cholesterol from the body, while “bad” cholesterol (LDL) can build up in arteries, potentially leading to heart disease. Alcohol and tobacco are known to be rough on the body, but can marijuana help cholesterol?
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Marijuana’s potential impact on cholesterol is an emerging area of research, offering both promising insights and areas for further exploration. While studies have yet to reach definitive conclusions, evidence suggests that cannabis may influence cholesterol levels in ways that could benefit cardiovascular health under certain conditions.
Cannabis contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including lipid metabolism. Some studies have indicated that marijuana use might improve cholesterol profiles by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as “good cholesterol.” For instance, research published in BMJ Open found that marijuana users had elevated levels of HDL cholesterol, which is associated with better cardiovascular health.
Moreover, cannabis has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to regulate blood glucose levels. These effects can indirectly support heart health by reducing risk factors associated with high cholesterol, such as diabetes and obesity. Additionally, cannabinoids like CBD may help protect the heart from oxidative stress and inflammation, further enhancing cardiovascular health.
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Cannabis has also been linked to weight management benefits, which can positively impact cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that marijuana use may reduce abdominal fat and improve metabolic parameters. Since obesity is a major contributor to high LDL cholesterol levels, these findings suggest that cannabis could play a supportive role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
While some studies highlight potential benefits of cannabis for cholesterol and heart health, others caution against its risks. Daily marijuana use has been associated with an increased risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular issues. However, research also indicates that cannabis may reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation and improve outcomes following heart attacks.
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