Organizers behind a movement to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota have submitted petition signatures, with hopes of positioning the issue for a statewide vote. The group, known as The New Economic Frontier measure, led by chairman Steve Bakken, turned in over 22,000 signatures. To qualify for the Nov. 5 general election ballot, the initiative must garner at least 15,582 valid signatures. Evaluation of the petition signatures by Secretary of State Michael Howe’s office is expected to be completed by Aug. 12.
Bakken, emphasizing the measure’s intent to prevent unwanted influences from out-of-state entities, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with North Dakota’s conservative values during a press briefing. The proposed statutory measure, spanning 20 pages, outlines regulations for the legalization of recreational marijuana for individuals aged 21 and above, strictly for personal use at home or on private properties where allowed.
The measure further specifies guidelines on production and processing, sets limits for purchase and possession, and permits home cultivation of marijuana plants. Marijuana-related charges vary in North Dakota, with recreational use by persons above 21 not considered a crime, though possession could lead to penalties ranging from infractions to misdemeanors based on the amount in possession. Delivery of marijuana in any quantity is deemed a felony, with potential for escalation depending on surrounding circumstances, like proximity to schools.
Recent data revealed that in 2021, North Dakota witnessed 4,451 individuals facing charges linked to marijuana possession or use, as per North Dakota Courts. Despite previous rejections in 2018 and 2022, efforts for legalization gained momentum in the state House of Representatives in 2021, though the Senate, dominated by Republicans, thwarted the bills.
With 24 states already having legalized recreational marijuana for adults, and recent movements in Ohio and forthcoming votes in Florida and South Dakota, the landscape of marijuana legislation appears to be evolving. Moreover, in May, the federal government initiated steps to reclassify marijuana as a less hazardous substance.
