North Dakota Voters to Decide on Cannabis Legalization for Third Time

LOS ANGELES- North Dakota voters will have another opportunity to legalize adult-use cannabis this November after Secretary of State Michael Howe announced on August 12 that the necessary signatures had been validated for the measure to appear on the ballot. This marks the third attempt to pass such a measure following unsuccessful efforts in 2018 and 2022.

The initiative, backed by the New Economic Frontier (NEF), aims to establish a licensed and regulated marketplace for adults aged 21 and older to purchase and possess small amounts of cannabis. NEF successfully submitted nearly 22,400 signatures in early July, surpassing the required 15,582 valid signatures by more than 3,300.

If passed, the measure will allow adults to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower, four grams of concentrate, and 300 milligrams of edibles. Additionally, individuals could grow up to three plants for personal use, with a household cap of six plants.

The measure will appear as Measure 5 on the November 5 ballot. NEF Chairman Steve Bakken, who also serves on the Burleigh County Board of Commissioners, expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to diversify North Dakota’s economy and reduce the burden on law enforcement.

Despite the measure’s progress, a recent poll indicates that a majority of likely voters currently oppose cannabis legalization. The upcoming vote will determine whether North Dakota joins neighboring states like Montana and Minnesota, where cannabis is already legal.