SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two years ago, the ballot measure to legalize marijuana (Amendment A) won 25 counties in South Dakota and passed by more than 30,000 votes.

On Tuesday, another ballot measure to legalize marijuana (Initiated Measure 27) won only eight counties and lost by nearly 20,000 votes. IM 27 won Brookings, Buffalo, Clay, Dewey, Minnehaha, Oglala Lakota, Todd and Ziebach Counties.

So what were the main changes from the 2020 vote to 2022?

A combination of factors including louder opposition, lower voter turnout and medical marijuana already being legal likely contributed to the difference.

Stronger opposition

There was stronger, organized opposition to legal marijuana in 2022 than in 2020. Protecting South Dakota Kids, chaired by Jim Kinyon, reported raising $427,186 in its pre-election filing and spent $351,740 mostly on advertising.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, chaired by Matthew Schweich, reported a pre-election income of $492,647 and spent $262,135 mostly on advertising.

A combination of factors including louder opposition, lower voter turnout and medical marijuana already being legal likely contributed to the difference.

Stronger opposition

There was stronger, organized opposition to legal marijuana in 2022 than in 2020. Protecting South Dakota Kids, chaired by Jim Kinyon, reported raising $427,186 in its pre-election filing and spent $351,740 mostly on advertising.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, chaired by Matthew Schweich, reported a pre-election income of $492,647  and spent $262,135 mostly on advertising. [Read More @ Keloland]