Citizens in Charge

Encouraged by a near miss four years ago, supporters of allowing marijuana to be used for medical purposes believe they have a better chance of persuading South Dakota voters this year to legalize the plant for treating pain, nausea and other health problems. A similar measure failed after getting about 48 percent of the vote in the 2006 election, but a coalition of patients, doctors, nurses and others will start a campaign this summer to explain how marijuana can help people with serious illnesses, said Emmett Reistroffer, one of the campaign organizers.

State senators changed legislation Thursday so that registered voters who have been inactive would still have the right to sign petitions to put a constitutional amendment, initiative or referendum on the South Dakota election ballot. The legislation, Senate Bill 13, contains a variety of changes in South Dakota election laws. It now heads to the House of Representatives for a committee hearing and possible action by the full House.

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Circuit Judge Mark Barnett issued an order Monday preventing South Dakota’s expanded smoking ban from taking effect until a legal fight is decided over whether there should be a statewide vote. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Chris Nelson said Monday that another step might be necessary in the future to cover a gap in the random-sample process South Dakota uses for checking signatures on ballot-measure petitions. That gap is a key in the dispute over whether there can be a statewide vote on the ban which was passed by the Legislature last winter.

The Minnesota House on Saturday got behind $1.5 billion in assorted tax increases affecting smokers, drinkers, homeowners, high-end income earners and others. The vote was 68-65, with all Republicans and some Democrats in opposition.

The weekend debate occurred a day after the state Senate narrowly voted to boost taxes by $2.2 billion, mainly through the income tax. Both House and Senate bills are running headlong into Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s promise to veto any tax increase that reaches him.