PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota voters approved major changes to the state’s constitution and laws earlier this month that will allow the growing and sale of marijuana both for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Drey Samuelson, with the backing group, “South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws,” says support for marijuana has grown in states where it has been legal for some time.

Samuelson says voters agreed that it’s better to regulate marijuana and the market.

Samuelson says under the new laws, towns and cities will be able to regulate if and where they will allow marijuana shops to operate.

The amendment and initiative become effective next July 1.