Ballot Initiative for Recreational Marijuana in North Dakota Approved

25 April 2024

A North Dakota advocacy group has launched a campaign to collect signatures for a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, a move that could significantly change the state's cannabis laws. Approved for circulation on April 25, 2024, the measure proposes allowing adults aged 21 and older to use, produce, and sell cannabis under a regulated framework established by state law. To qualify for the November 2024 general election ballot, supporters must gather 15,582 valid signatures by the deadline of July 8, 2024. The proposal outlines specific possession and purchase limits and includes regulations for production, processing, and employee protections in compliance with state guidelines.

This initiative builds on North Dakota's legalization of medical marijuana in 2016 but follows failed attempts at recreational legalization in 2018 and 2022. Proponents argue the measure would align the state with neighboring regions and Canada, which have adopted legal cannabis markets, while reallocating law enforcement resources to combat more serious drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. Critics, however, cite concerns about public health risks, underage marijuana use, and challenges in regulating recreational cannabis.

If approved, the initiative could bolster North Dakota’s economy by generating cannabis tax revenue, creating jobs, and expanding access for the state’s nearly 10,000 registered medical cannabis patients. It would also address the need for a cohesive policy to replace fragmented enforcement. By failing to adapt, the state risks falling behind as 24 other states have already legalized recreational marijuana, including recent approval through ballot initiatives in Ohio. This shift could be a turning point for cannabis policy reform in North Dakota, with implications for law enforcement, healthcare, and the local economy.