Third Time's The Charm? North Dakota Ballot Initiative Group Gets Green Light To Collect Signatures For Marijuana Legalization

Over a week after a group of North Dakotans filed a 2024 ballot measure petition to legalize recreational cannabis, the state's top election official gave the green light for signature gathering to begin, reported ABC News.

The New Economic Frontier, a cannabis advocacy committee behind the push, needs to garner and submit 15,582 valid signatures to Secretary of State Michael Howe by July 8 in order to place the measure on the November general election ballot.

Under a measure's 20-page text, personal recreational marijuana use at home would be legal for those 21 and older. The measure proposes setting up a regulatory framework for the production and processing of cannabis as well as prohibited uses.

Steve Bakken, a Burleigh County commissioner and former Bismarck mayor, who is behind the initiative, said law enforcement resources "should be directed someplace a little more effectual."

Criminal defense attorney Mark Friese, who previously served as a Bismarck police officer, agreed with Bakken, adding that his efforts are directed toward preventing North Dakota from becoming an island of prohibition.

See also: North Dakota Lawmakers Say No To Cannabis Edibles, Here’s Why GOP-Led House Killed Two MMJ Bills

"We spend too many resources, we spend too much money, we criminalize behavior that’s more benign than alcohol consumption, and we have a mental health and true drug crisis going on in our communities, and we’re diverting law enforcement resources away from methamphetamine and fentanyl to make marijuana arrests,” Friese said. “It’s just illogical.”

According to the sponsoring committee, the measure would also help boost the state’s economy. Marijuana products will be regulated and therefore much safer for consumers. The reform would make medical marijuana more accessible to veterans and individuals with various health conditions. 

Previous efforts in 2018 and 2022 to legalize recreational cannabis in North Dakota failed. Will the third time be the charm?

Now read: Religious Anti-Marijuana Groups Are Getting Louder And Ready To Move From Talk To Action