Both sides take in big checks from individuals, businesses
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In South Dakota, campaigns both supporting and opposing Initiated Measure 29—a proposal to legalize limited adult marijuana use—have raised nearly equal funds, with each side amassing approximately $457,000 as of the latest finance reports.
On the pro-legalization side, the Yes on 29 Ballot Committee raised around $436,000, largely fueled by contributions from the cannabis industry. Over $300,000 came from industry representatives, including a $100,000 donation from GL Partners Inc., a medical marijuana dispensary based in Rapid City. This follows an earlier $100,000 contribution by GL Partners ahead of the June primary election. Other notable donors include the Moyle family, owners of Moyle Petroleum Company, who collectively gave $100,100. Brad Jurgensen, the committee’s chair, contributed $50,000 in media services through his HomeSlice Media company.
Nationally, the Marijuana Policy Project provided $37,000, and a California-based company specializing in cannabis location mapping donated $30,000. A related committee, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws Inc., also received $60,000 from Yes on 29 for additional support.
Opposing Measure 29, the Protecting SD Kids Ballot Question Committee has raised a similar amount, with $457,000 in contributions and $371,000 in expenses. More than 100 individual contributors donated over $370,000, led by Brad Wheeler of Wheeler Manufacturing, who gave $61,400, and South Dakota Hall of Fame member Robert Mudge, co-founder of RPM and Associates, with a $50,000 contribution. Additionally, eight local companies and organizations, including First PREMIER Bank and Prestige Auto Sales, each contributed $25,000. The opposition announced further fundraising of $550,000, adding recent smaller contributions below $10,000 that were not included in the last report.
Initiated Measure 29 would legalize the possession and distribution of up to two ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and over. It is one of seven ballot initiatives South Dakotans will decide on in the November 5 vote.
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