South Dakota

Recreational marijuana is on the South Dakota ballot this November. What to know:

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2024

Recreational marijuana is on the South Dakota ballot this November. What to know:

Next month, South Dakota voters will once again determine the state’s fate of recreational marijuana with Initiated Measure 29.

If passed, the measure would allow those aged 21 and older to “possess, grow, ingest and distribute marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia,” according to Attorney General Marty Jackley’s explanation.

Proponents say IM-29 is a “common-sense policy” that would boost the state’s revenue with licensed businesses as opposed to black market sales and allow law enforcement to eliminate prosecuting non-violent marijuana offenses to focus on “real crime.”

Voters originally opted for and passed the legalization of marijuana in 2020. However, the measure was challenged by Gov. Kristi Noem and two law enforcement officers. Ultimately, it was extinguished in 2021 by the South Dakota Supreme Court, citing the ballot measure at the time violated the state Constitution’s requirement that amendments do not encompass more than one subject, according to previous Argus Leader reporting.

Opponents argue that voting Yes on IM-29 could lead to increased public health risks, especially among teens, as well as impaired driving. The measure would also allegedly “open the door for increased crime, suicide rates… and mental health problems.”

What would IM-29 do for South Dakota?

If passed, the debated initiated measure would add four new sections to Title 34 of the state’s codified laws, which covers public health and safety.

IM-29 would legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older in South Dakota, allowing for possession of up to 2 ounces. Residents would also be able to grow up to six marijuana plants with no more than 12 per household.

It would still remain illegal to drive under the influence, and the measure would restrict where it is contained or consumed, including schools, certain properties depending on the property owner, places of employment according to the employer, and any other locations where tobacco is prohibited.

A fiscal note on the measure says it would “not decriminalize the sale of cannabis but would decriminalize the sale of cannabis accessories.” In other words, marijuana-derived substances would be allowed but marijuana would remain illegal under federal law.

IM-29 also discloses that South Dakota counties may see incarceration expenses reduced by $581,556 per year.

No changes would be made to the medical marijuana program.

What proponents are saying:

IM-29 sponsor, and Executive Director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Law, Matthew Schweich says voting yes on IM-29 would protect personal freedom and restore the will of the people of South Dakota, referring to the outcome of the 2020 election on the matter.

“Whether we pass measure 29 or not, cannabis already exists in South Dakota. The question is, are we going to be pragmatic and take a common sense approach or are we going to stick with an obsolete failed policy prohibition that has done nothing for us for a century?” he stated during a Sept. 19 South Dakota Public Broadcasting debate against former state lawmaker and Protecting South Dakota Kids Executive Director Rhonda Milstead.

During that debate, Schweich also said he supports “strong labeling and packaging” as well as THC caps on marijuana products.

Proponents for IM-29 said if passed, the measure would help create new South Dakota jobs, reduce spending on incarceration and generate millions in new tax revenue.

This time, they say, the measure is shorter and simpler compared to previous attempts to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

What opponents are saying:

During the SDPB debate last month, Milstead said she thinks no amount of THC will be safe for people.

“So why invite trouble into our state in the form of a drug that is not safe, not responsible and will never be regulated?” she said during the debate.

According to the 2024 Ballot Question Pamphlet, opponents of IM-29 also say the measure will harm South Dakota children, families and communities, going as far as to say that a research report on child abuse said marijuana is often actively used the most by perpetrators of child abuse and neglect.

“I have been diagnosed for years with something called Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome,” Kylee Hanson said. “That’s where the puking, it just comes in cycles for days on end. It’s like you develop some kind of allergy, I guess they would say, for a daily smoker of marijuana, a…
— Paul TenHaken (@paultenhaken) September 30, 2024

Mayor Paul TenHaken has also shown opposition to marijuana use and possession for both medical and recreational use. In 2021, TenHaken proposed a cap on the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Sioux Falls.

On Sept. 30, TenHaken posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he is encouraging others to vote No on IM-29, saying he “believes adding another legally addictive vice would not have positive community benefits at this time.”

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: IM-29, legalizing recreational marijuana, on the ballot in South Dakota

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 8, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 8 drawing

01-31-32-45-52, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South Dakota

Kristi Noem’s term as governor freshly roasted by former South Dakota mayor: ‘She did a Sarah Palin’

Published

24 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Kristi Noem’s term as governor freshly roasted by former South Dakota mayor: ‘She did a Sarah Palin’

Kristi Noem’s stint as governor of South Dakota has come under fresh scrutiny by a former local mayor, who said she “did a ‘Sarah Palin’ and quit,” just days after she was fired from her role as Homeland Security secretary.

Noem, who served as governor from 2019 to 2025, became the first cabinet member to be fired by Trump during his second term.

The embarrassing dismissal came amid growing scrutiny of her aggressive immigration operations across the country, DHS’s purchase of multiple luxury jets for staff, major reductions in FEMA staff, and rumors of an affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski.

Mike Levsen, the former mayor of Aberdeen in Noem’s home state of South Dakota, says her dismissal came as no surprise given her “lack of any significant accomplishment” during her time as governor of the state.

“The Noem governorship covered six years — then did a ‘Sarah Palin’ and quit,” Levsen wrote in a blog post, comparing Noem to the former Alaska Gov. who resigned midway through her first term, citing mounting legal fees being brought by various ethics investigations being brought against her. Palin was Senator John McCain’s running mate during the 2008 presidential election.

Kristi Noem’s tenure as governor has come under criticism following her firing as DHS secretary (AFP/Getty)

“Her legacy was minimal involvement with the Legislature, frequent absences, no transparency, repeated operational screwups, soaring turnover and instances of self-dealing for herself and her family,” Levsen wrote.

Levsen criticized Noem’s Covid-era ad campaign, “Freedom Works Here,” as a “Trump-based ploy that likely contributed to South Dakota’s listing high on some periodical per capita death lists.”

The campaign, which attempted to draw new residents to the state, cost $6.5 million, and South Dakota News Watch reported at the time that there were “hurdles” with the campaign.

Levsen also noted Noem’s “difficult relationship” with tribal governments, as all nine of South Dakota’s indigenous tribes voted in 2024 to ban Noem from their lands, according to CNN.

“Is there a single thing in South Dakota now better as a result of her time in office?” Levsen questioned in the post.

Noem was fired by Trump amidst mounting scrutiny over fallout in Minnesota, following DHS’s disastrous Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, which saw two U.S. citizens shot dead in confrontations with federal agents.

Noem described the two Americans, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, as domestic terrorists. She has refused to apologize for the comments.

She also drew fierce criticism with her purchase of multiple luxury jets, a $220 million ad campaign, gutting FEMA, and her rumored affair with Lewandowski.

Noem was axed by President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post Thursday (Getty)

The final nail in the coffin appears to have been Noem’s congressional testimony this past week, during which lawmakers from both sides of the aisle criticized her management and judgment.

A day after her second hearing, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Noem was out at DHS — and that he was nominating Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to replace her.

An administration official told NBC News that the president axed Noem due to “a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures, including the fallout in Minnesota, the ad campaign, the allegations of infidelity, the mismanagement of her staff, and her constant feuding with the heads of other agencies, including CBP and ICE.”

“Kristi’s drama sadly overshadowed and distracted from the Administration’s extremely popular immigration agenda, which will continue full force,” the official added.

Before she was fired, Noem defended her performance during her hearings on Capitol Hill.

She also drew fire for insisting that the $220 million DHS ad campaign had been launched with the president’s approval, which Trump has denied.

Days after her humiliating firing, Trump named Noem as special envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that Trump says will focus on the Western Hemisphere.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 7 drawing

17-18-30-50-68, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 7 drawing

06-08-17-18-45, Star Ball: 05, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from March 7 drawing

01-02-06-22-26

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 7 drawing

10-32-45-53-54, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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