BISMARCK — Carrying boxes filled with 22,444 signatures, members of the New Economic Frontier strutted into the capital to deliver a measure petition that would put the legalization of recreational cannabis on the upcoming November ballot — for the third time. Signature validation is pending by the Secretary of State's office as the minimum amount required for ballot approval is 15,552. “As we're getting closer and closer and closer, why this is important now is because at some point it's going to pass,” said Steve Bakken, former Bismarck mayor and chairperson for the ballot-initiative group.
“So do we pass something that makes sense for North Dakota and we're on the front side of it, so we can manage it and the state can manage it, or are we going to wait to just clean up a mess?,” Bakken said. The proposed measure would allow adults 21 years old or above to possess an ounce of cannabis flower, four grams of concentrate and edible products containing up to 1500 milligrams. Residents would also be able to grow up to three cannabis plants, with a limit of six per household.
Medicinal use was legalized in November 2016 with strict requirements concerning how sales are conducted and where product comes from. Current law surrounding recreational use remains stringent. Possession is fully illegal outside of medicinal use, with varying charges relative to the amount apprehended.
Small amounts tend to be misdemeanors, while larger amounts connected to any intent to sell .
