Anti-pot campaign launches ahead of November vote to legalize recreational marijuana use in South Dakota

Catholic care therapist, state lawmaker, leading opposition campaign

Protecting South Dakota Kids formally launched its opposition campaign last week to Initiated Measure 27, the ballot question that will decide whether marijuana should be legal in the state.

The organization is chaired by Jim Kinyon, a longtime counselor and therapist who now serves as the executive director of Rapid City-based Catholic Care Services. Listed as treasurer on the campaign committee’s statement of organization filed with the secretary of state is Rep. Fred Deutsch, a Florence Republican who has been among the most resistant to voter-backed marijuana reforms.

Kinyon told The Dakota Scout that he’s fighting  IM-27 after seeing what he characterized as damaging effects of marijuana on other states where cannabis use has become legal.

“We don’t need drug pushers in our city and our state,” he said.