Deadwood's downturn could be reversed

Sturgis Rally organizers are saying that annual event could see the fewest riders in decades.

Director of Deadwood Gaming Association Mike Rodman says the industry is looking at 11 million dollars below its historic peak.

To date, district officials have held close to 20 public meetings and recently combined the resulting feedback with building plans submitted by consultant Foster Jacobs, and Johnson to arrive at a solid decision to follow [S]uperintendent Dr. Dan Leikvold’s recommendation to a long-term commitment to the Deadwood Elementary School building, monitoring of enrollment over the next five years, and if enrollment warrants, closure or repurposing of the middle school building. [Black Hills Pioneer]

So, opium use is as historic in Deadwood as gambling. The Gulch makes the logical location for a cannabis-friendly zone.

Enter the Grateful Deadwood High Cannabusiness Institute.

The first step in the upcoming Lead-Deadwood School District’s facilities study confirms what district officials have known for some time. A look into student enrollment projections by consulting firm Foster Jacobs & Johnson, Inc. recently revealed that projected student enrollment is expected to continue to decline to around 513 in 2025-2026, from the 682 tally taken during the 2015-16 school year, nearly a 170-student dip. [Black Hills Pioneer]

The building that has been home to the Deadwood High School Bears now Lead-Deadwood Elementary came to mind at my conclusion to make Deadwood an adult destination.

The four options presented were: one, continue with status quo. Option two would entail committing to a significant overhaul of the building. Option three would be to abandon the building and look for a new spot in Deadwood to build a new building. Or option four, to enhance the footprint of the Lead campus and move the elementary school to Lead. [Black Hills Pioneer]

This building is perfect for Deadwood's cannabis experiment. Under a compact with tribal nations and Black Hills State University with oversight from the South Dakota Gaming Commission create a campus with degrees in cannabusiness and tourism. Train casino workers and poker dealers.

James P. Gray in the LA Times reprinted in Cannabis News:

Holland decriminalized marijuana back in the 1970s, its minister of health stated that they had only half the marijuana usage per capita in their country as we do in ours – for both adults and for teenagers! And he went on to explain why by saying that “we have succeeded in making pot boring.” A system in which marijuana is no longer sold illegally and also is not advertised commercially will achieve the same results.

Meth and opioids are overrunning South Dakota just like in the rest of the US. Heroin, too. Direct law enforcement efforts to stem that scourge and leave cannabis to the professionals.

Hey Deadwood, get Representative Timothy Johns to author and sponsor a bill to get the constitution changed.

Who's with me?