North Dakota voters will decide if their state should legalize recreational marijuana this November.
A ballot initiative qualified for consideration after 22,384 signatures were submitted in July. In total,18,964 signatures were accepted by North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe’s office.
To have their initiative appear on a state ballot, petitioners must secure at least 15,582 signatures. That number represents approximately 2% of the state's population.
Of the 3,420 rejected signatures, at least 1,341 were determined to have an insufficient signature, 108 had an out-of-state address, 922 did not have an address included, and 121 did not include a date.
New Economic Frontier, the advocacy group behind the ballot initiative, believes legalizing recreational marijuana would create economic opportunities and “free up valuable law enforcement resources.”
“This measure proposes conservative limits when compared to many adult-use states. Although surrounding states, such as Montana and Minnesota, have significantly higher limits, our measure takes a cautious and mindful approach to legalization,” the organization says on its website. “Our goal is to legalize adult-use cannabis responsibly, reflecting the values and needs of North Dakota communities.”
Montana and Minnesota allow the possession of eight grams of concentrated marijuana or 800 milligrams of edibles. Montana also permits the possession of one ounce of dried leaves – or flowers – while Minnestoa permits two ounces.
South Dakota is considering a proposal to legalize the possession of three ounces of flower, 24 grams of concentrate, and 24,000 milligrams of edible.
In contrast, North Dakota would permit one ounce of flower, four grams of concentrate, and 300 milligrams of edibles if the ballot measure is adopted.
The initiative states:The initiated measure would create a new chapter of the North Dakota Century Code. It would allow for the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and the possession and use of various forms of cannabis by individuals who are 21 years of age and older; direct a state entity to regulate and register adult use cannabis production businesses, dispensaries, and their agents; provide protections for individuals who are 21 years of age or older who use cannabis; provide penalties for violations of the chapter; preserve certain employer rights regarding use of cannabis products by employees; supersede local ordinances that otherwise would prohibit the purchase, sale, use, delivery, or growing of cannabis by or to individuals 21 years of age or older; and provide that fees must be appropriated for administration of this chapter.
North Dakota voters previously rejected an effort to legalize marijuana in 2018 and 2022. Medical marijuana usage was approved in 2016. Over 10,000 patient cards have been issued over the last eight years.
In 2023, over 4,450 people were arrested for marijuana possession in the state.
Marijuana usage is fully legal in 25 states including Washington, Virginia, New York, New Mexico, Maine Illinois, California, and Arizona.
