South Dakota
To legalize or not to legalize, that is the question
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BTN7EKLTPVGE5A2ISAPDDNMDDE.jpg "To legalize or not to legalize, that is the question")
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota currently has two proposed ballot measures with conflicting goals. One to legalize marijuana recreationally and one to repeal the existing medical marijuana program altogether.
The push to repeal South Dakota’s existing medical marijuana laws has been in the works for a few weeks now. The conversation was sparked again this week with the Attorney General releasing an explanation of the draft measure.
Travis Ismay is the main voice spearheading the effort to repeal medical marijuana and in a press release says “We believe South Dakota deserves a second chance to do what is right and be an example to the rest of the country.”
Ismay argues that since the drug is still illegal on the federal level municipalities should be allowed to opt out of the program.
Those against the repeal argue this would have a huge impact on the economy.
“So not only are you looking at a loss of revenues loss of taxes, loss of jobs. You’re also looking at the legal aspect of it now on that aspect these people aren’t just gonna sit by and say take away my business, take away my retail store,” said Leonard Vandermate, the owner of Hemporium Boutique.
Vandermate believes medical marijuana business owners are invested in this area and would likely pursue legal action if they were no longer able to use the licenses they paid for.
Aside from ethical or legal concerns, Vandermate argues measures like this can be a slippery slope to banning other products.
“Here’s the problem I have with this if they come and start taking away what they’ve already given us what we have a legal right to, and then they come and take it away. What stops them from taking everything else? The vapes, the tobacco, the alcohol, they’re coming after everything else,” said Vandermate.
In order for Ismay’s ballot initiative to be added to the next general election the measure would need about 17,000 signatures.
Copyright 2023 KOTA. All rights reserved.
SIOUX FALLS — A Minnesota man killed after a crash on a Sioux Falls Interstate on-ramp has been identified by authorities.
The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday, May 11, on the 12th Street on-ramp to Interstate 29 northbound on the west side of Sioux Falls.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol said 44-year-old Derek Berry, of Zumbrota, Minnesota, was operating a Suzuki motorcycle when he entered the on-ramp to the northbound lanes of Interstate 29 at 12th Street, which features a sharp curve.
Troopers say Berry lost control of his bike on the curve and struck concrete barriers on both the east and west sides of the on-ramp, causing him to separate from his motorcycle.
Berry was taken to a Sioux Falls hospital where he died of his injuries.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, though traffic was impacted for some time.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
A South Dakota native, Hunter joined Forum Communications as a reporter for the Mitchell (S.D.) Republic in June 2021 and now works as a digital reporter for Forum News Service.
UNION COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office said a man who has been missing for more than five years was found safe in another state.
On April 4, 2025, the Union County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office to develop new possible investigation resources to located David Collin Barber.
Barber was reported missing in December 2019.
On May 13, 2025, Deputies said they received a tip that the man David Collin Barber had been on the west coast since 2019. They later learned he was now in South Dakota.
Law enforcement agencies in that area located Barber who stated he was ‘doing well.’
“We are thankful for the efforts of those who assisted in the search for Collin and the tips that came in that lead to this positive outcome for his loved ones,” said Sheriff Jeff Bailey in a release.
Copyright 2025 WHNS. All rights reserved.
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