ACLU South Dakota: want to fix prison overcrowding? Legalize cannabis.

So, what’s not to like about six (seven? eight?) month winters, rampant racism, chilling effects on civil rights, an extremist legislature, living in a chemical toilet, sacrifice zone, perpetual welfare state and permanent disaster area. In South Dakota freedom is just another word for nothing left to choose.

South Dakota is the only state in the country where ingestion of a controlled substance is charged as a felony level offense. This law affects Native Americans more than any other demographic in the state. #SmartJustice https://t.co/Rka3g1Iy1t pic.twitter.com/nM4Bi4E2JH

— ACLU of South Dakota (@ACLUSouthDakota) October 21, 2019

"Doctors described patients being screened for drug use at hospitals, with or without their consent, and then taken to jail. People in the area know this risk and sometimes avoid medical visits as a result, women and providers said."

Illegal drug ingestion is a felony in S.D.

— ACLU of South Dakota (@ACLUSouthDakota) May 7, 2024

This is a policy failure that hurts our communities and relies on punishment above all else.

The good news is elected officials can change the state’s felony ingestion law & invest in alternatives that actually help people overcome addiction. It’s beyond time for them to do so. https://t.co/LseMZc4wzl

— ACLU of South Dakota (@ACLUSouthDakota) May 21, 2024

“'Is there maybe things we can do legislatively that would reduce the future number of inmates?' he [Derby] asked."

💡 Repeal S.D.’s felony ingestion law, legalize marijuana, invest in more rehabilitative programs to reduce recidivism, reallocate funding to community programs. https://t.co/w129HlQP7N

— ACLU of South Dakota (@ACLUSouthDakota) May 22, 2024