Hemp has many uses in textiles, paper, construction materials, and many other goods. South Dakota has the perfect soil and climate conditions to grow hemp and marijuana, so they could be a major agricultural product for the state. The only reason hemp is illegal is because it was a threat to the oil and paper industries in 1937.

The CBD and THC found in marijuana has been linked to helping treat illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and many others. It has many of the side affects as alcohol, but without the many health risks and potential of overdosing. Many legally prescribed drugs can have more serious health risks and cause more dramatic changes in a person's behavior, such as Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, OxyContin, and Vicodin.