North Dakota Expands Medical Cannabis Access with New Edible Law

24 April 2025

Medical Marijuana in North Dakota Now Includes Edibles Under HB 1203

North Dakota has taken a cautious but significant step in expanding access to medical cannabis. On April 21, 2025, the state signed House Bill 1203 into law, allowing registered patients to legally purchase and use cannabis-infused edibles for the first time.

This marks a major update to North Dakota cannabis laws, which until now permitted only flower, tinctures, capsules, and patches since medical marijuana was legalized in 2016.

Key Changes Under House Bill 1203

• Edibles Legalized: Patients can purchase THC-infused lozenges.

• Strict Dosing Requirements:

  • Maximum 5 milligrams THC per lozenge
  • Maximum 50 milligrams THC per package

• Safety Standards: Products must be square-shaped and cannot resemble candy to prevent accidental consumption by minors.

What This Means for North Dakota Residents

• Medical Cannabis Patients: New smokeless options with longer-lasting effects for chronic conditions.
• Healthcare Providers: Expanded options for those pursuing medical cannabis certification in North Dakota.
• Cannabis Businesses: New product lines can be developed within North Dakota dispensaries while complying with strict guidelines.
• Cannabis Industry: Incremental growth opportunities for the cannabis industry in North Dakota, focusing on safe and compliant production.

Broader Reform Stalls: House Bill 1596 Rejected

While medical cannabis access is expanding, broader reform efforts continue to face strong resistance:

• House Bill 1596, which would have decriminalized possession of less than half an ounce of cannabis by making it a civil infraction with a $150 fine, was rejected by the North Dakota Senate during the Second reading on April 9, 2025.
• Despite strong bipartisan support in the House and backing from prosecutors, concerns about signaling broader legalization efforts led to the bill’s defeat.
• Low-level possession remains a criminal offense under existing North Dakota cannabis laws, with potential fines and court appearances.

North Dakota’s Future in Medical Cannabis

North Dakota’s approach remains cautious and focused on patient safety. While cannabis testing in North Dakota and product regulation will continue to tighten, patients now have safer, more diverse ways to manage symptoms through regulated edibles.

The expansion of medical marijuana in North Dakota offers small growth opportunities for the cannabis industry in the state, but recreational legalization and large-scale changes, such as broader cannabis cultivation, remain unlikely in the near term.