MONTROSE - A South Dakota drug convict pardoned by President Barack Obama says the pardon will improve both his personal and business life.

Michael John Petri, of Montrose, was convicted in 1989 of distributing cocaine and served just under half of a five-year sentence. He says he has since turned his life around, including starting his own construction business.

Petri was one of 17 people pardoned by Obama on Friday. Petri tells KSFY-TV that it means he can now own guns and go hunting. He says the pardon also opens the door for him to work on federal construction projects.

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