STATE VOTES NO AGAIN, PROPONENTS STILL HOPEFUL

Freshman Anna Hyronimus, a first-time voter, chose to vote against
Measure 13.

"Knowing that South Dakota is a conservative state, I realized that
there was a very slim chance that the use of medical cannabis would
pass," Hyronimus said.

In 2006, medical marijuana made its way onto the South Dakota ballot.
Though a conservative state, the measure came close as medical
marijuana only neglected to pass by a margin of 4 percent. Once again,
medical cannabis was on the ballot for legalization.

This year though the measure was defeated more decisively.

The 4 percent margin rose to 26 percent. The final results were 63.3
to 36.7, a major difference from the 2006 vote, 52 to 48
discrepancy.

Despite the state's repuation for voting conservatively, proponents of
passing the measure are hopeful in bringing the issue back in 2012.

Former University of South Dakota student Ross Miller led Students for
Sensible Drug Policy during his time on campus. Though he is no longer
directly affiliated with the campaign, he still supports the cause and
is a global advocate for the legalization of cannabis.

"I voted yes on Measure 13," Miller said. "I think it was a step in
the right direction and a better option than prohibition."

Miller, an advocate of full marijuana legalization, was disappointed
by the results of this year's election in South Dakota. He said the
reasons it did not pass could be found by looking at money, the
conservative stance of South Dakota, and the voting generation.

The biggest reason the measure did not pass, in Miller's opinion, is
money. Paraphernalia and possession charges go to the salaries of
police officers, court systems and treatment centers. It's a huge
money game, said Miller.

Miller also holds the baby boomer generation responsible for the
failure of the measure. They vote, he said, and it halts a lot of
progressive action. The elderly are slow to learn new ideas, and have
been exposed to decades and decades of propaganda, Miller said.

Junior Tom Squires voted against Measure 13. He said there is a risk
of misuse in legalizing medical marijuana.

"I don't think that there is enough research to start diagnosing and
using it as medication for people," Squires said. "If we're going to
use it, we need to prove that it helps. It shouldn't just be used as a
stress reliever."

Squires also said he would be concerned about patients getting those
prescriptions, only to turn around and sell their drugs to other people.

Junior Adrian Rodriguez said although he knows some people would abuse
medical marijuana, he voted for legalization.

"I voted for it because I feel that people actually need it,"
Rodriguez said.

If South Dakota ever put full-on legalization on their ballot, he said
he would most likely vote for it.

"It would be a good way for our country to make some money. We could
tax it up the wazoo," Rodriguez said.

Emmett Reistroffer, South Dakota Coalition for Compassion coordinator,
went to dedicated the past two years to advocate Measure 13.

The coalition started in early 2009, which was when Reistroffer got
involved. To get Measure 13 on the ballot, signatures were collected
all over South Dakota for a petition that ended up with twice the
amount of signatures required.

Reistroffer said there were many reasons why the initiative did not
pass this year.

"Politically, I believe it is because the electorate was so much
different than 2006 and 2008," Reistroffer said. "This was the
strongest year for Republicans in voting. And they are so much less
supportive of this cause than Democrats and Independents."

While the Coalition for Compassion had a relatively smaller budget and
only local donations funding their cause, there were large companies
who made donations to the opposition, Reistroffer said.

The money put into the media and the fallacious arguments made by the
opposition, caused voters to become confused and fearful according to
Reistroffer.

One argument made by opponents, is that of regulation. Especially when
regulating those who use it for medical purposes and those who use it
recreationally.

"There are a lot of people out there who use it for leisure reasons.
That is the case even with our current laws. From a practical
standpoint, it won't make it any easier to abuse it. The leisure users
have used it for so long despite the laws. Qualified patients have to
document their use and every protocol was in place to make sure there
was no abuse,"

Reistroffer said.

Reistroffer said regardless of the election results, he is still very
proud to be a part of the coalition.

"I still feel like we came out ahead, even though we lost,"
Reistroffer said. "We have every interest in putting it on the ballot
in 2012. More people are talking about marijuana reform than ever
before. Ideas have been changed."