COUNTERPOINT | Legal marijuana brings no positives to South Dakota

Guest column by Dr. Bonnie Omdahl and Dr. Forrest Brady

When choosing how to vote on any ballot issue, the questions that should be answered are: What are the benefits and risks for me personally, and for South Dakota, if this proposal passes. Legalizing recreational marijuana has serious potential harm and risk for individuals, communities and the state of South Dakota with no identifiable benefits. 

Proponents will argue that it would bring in tax dollars but as written there is no tax provision. That would be up to the Legislature, but if Initiated Measure 28 passes, marijuana would not be taxed. A study by the Centennial Institute of Colorado Christian University demonstrated that Colorado spends $4.50 on costs related to marijuana for every tax dollar marijuana generates. No matter how much money you make, if your expenses are four times your income, you are not making money.

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