Everyone remembers getting a paper back from their teacher in high school and seeing that they were knocked down a whole letter grade just for a typo or two. Imagine if a small typo ruined a whole state's efforts to legalize recreational possession and consumption of cannabis...

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No need to imagine, because it's really happening in South Dakota. The state has had many failed attempts at legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana in various capacities. While the past attempts have failed for reasons like not enough petition signatures and more, now South Dakota's legalization attempt is failing for a reason far more frustrating.

"A writing error might cost a ballot measure campaign its chances of legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota next year," the Argus Leader reported. As New Approach South Dakota has been working diligently to gather signatures for the ballot initiative, the bill's wording could render those efforts useless.

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"It's just a typo. It's one person's perception of grammar versus another's," commented Melissa Mentele, director of New Approach South Dakota. The Argus Leader reports that "the way the measure is worded, though, it would only legalize marijuana paraphernalia, not the drug itself, according to the state's official interpretation."

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According to analyst estimates, if the bill were to pass it would save South Dakota over $2 million in jail costs over the coming years. Be sure to subscribe to one or more of our free newsletters so you never miss an important cannabis update. Also, don't forget to connect with The Daily Marijuana Observer on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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