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Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness; opening statements and first witness in NY trial; SCOTUS hears Starbucks case, with implications for unions on the line; rural North Carolina town gets pathway to home ownership.

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The Supreme Court weighs cities ability to manage a growing homelessness crisis, anti-Israeli protests spread to college campuses nationwide, and more states consider legislation to ban firearms at voting sites and ballot drop boxes.

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Wyoming needs more educators who can teach kids trade skills, a proposal to open 40-thousand acres of an Ohio forest to fracking has environmental advocates alarmed and rural communities lure bicyclists with state-of-the-art bike trail systems.

After Veto, SD Will Keep Minor Pot Convictions Permanent

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Thursday, March 31, 2022   

South Dakota has seen many debates over marijuana policy in recent years.

The latest surrounds removal of past convictions for certain offenders, and the governor's veto of the plan has supporters worried about whether these individuals can move forward with their lives.

Gov. Kristi Noem rejected a bill which would have automatically removed a one-time marijuana offense from a person's criminal background check. The bill included a five-year waiting period before removal.

Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, commenting on the unsuccessful bid to override the veto, said keeping past indiscretions on file does not help with all the 'help wanted' signs around the state.

"Because we have many good people who are barred from working because of a past conviction, and that, to me, is wrong," Heinert asserted.

The bill's sponsor noted allowing minor, stand-alone offenses to be removed would help roughly 30,000 South Dakotans. Noem countered there must still be consequences for illegal use of the drug. Opponents in the Legislature also argued employers and landlords have the right to know whether someone broke the law, and it should be up to them whether it should be considered a past issue.

Sen. V.J. Smith, R-Brookings, supported efforts to override the governor's veto. He said the purpose behind the bill was forgiveness.

"People have had minor indiscretions in their lives," Smith observed. "They don't need to be marked by it for the rest of their lives."

Beyond employment, supporters said the minor offenses also hinder a person's ability to become foster parents or adopt a child.

This fall, South Dakota voters are expected to again consider whether to legalize the drug for adults. Voters said "yes" in 2020, but opponents including Noem challenged the wording of the ballot question, which led to the state Supreme Court invalidating the result. At the same time, South Dakota is moving forward with a medical cannabis program.


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