South Dakota Cannabis Laws 2026: The Modern Era
2026 (Current Status)
2026 (Current Status): South Dakota remains a medical-only state. Recreational cannabis is illegal after voters rejected subsequent legalization measures in 2022 and 2024.
Repeated Recreational Ballot Attempts (2022–2024)
After Amendment A was overturned, advocates returned to voters more than once seeking recreational legalization.
2022 (November)
2022 (November): A recreational legalization measure is rejected by voters.
2024 (November)
2024 (November): A second recreational legalization measure also fails at the ballot box.
The 2020 Vote and the Amendment A Court Ruling
In a single election, South Dakota voters approved both a medical and a recreational cannabis measure — an outcome that did not survive a legal challenge.
2020 (November)
2020 (November): Voters approve both Measure 26 (medical marijuana) and Amendment A (recreational marijuana) on the same ballot.
2021 (July)
2021 (July): Measure 26 takes effect, establishing South Dakota's medical marijuana program.
2021 (November)
2021 (November): The South Dakota Supreme Court strikes down Amendment A, ruling that it violated the state constitution's single-subject rule for ballot amendments.