Poll Finds 45% of South Dakota Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, 42% Oppose

According to newly released polling, a plurality of South Dakota voters want recreational marijuana legalized.

For the poll researchers surveyed 782 registered voters for their South Dakota Polling Project. The Fall 2023 Poll, conducted from November 18 to December 4, 2023, is a survey of the South Dakota electorate conducted by The South Dakota Polling Project — a non-partisan research group housed in the School of American and Global Studies at South Dakota State University.

“Another likely initiated measure on the 2024 ballot is a policy aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana — a seemingly perpetual conflict in the state”, states a press release about the poll. “After a legalization scheme narrowly passed in 2020 (subsequently overturned by the courts) and another one narrowly failed in 2022, reformers are petitioning to get it back on the ballot in this year’s presidential election.”

Similar to results of polling released last year, “our polling shows that public opinion is very closely divided, and structured largely on partisan terms. About 45% of respondents voiced support for the passage of such a law, while 42% were opposed.”

Among those that support legalization, 26% “strongly” support it”, while 19% “somewhat” support it. For those opposed, 30% are “strongly” opposed and 12% are “somewhat” opposed. 13% remain undecided.

Democrats are largely in favor of such an effort, with 68% supporting legalization. “However, the parties are not symmetrical in their preferences here, suggesting the possibility of yet another close vote. A full 62% of Republicans are opposed to legalization, though 26% dissent from their fellow partisans, opening a narrow route for a similar measure to pass if it should land on the ballot in November.”

More information on this poll can be found by clicking here.