Currently, there are 37 states with medical cannabis laws and 19 with adult-use policies.
In November, at least one more state may join the adult-use cannabis list.
Yesterday, New Approach North Dakota (NAND) announced that its cannabis legalization initiative had enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
NAND says the North Dakota Secretary of State’s review process found that 23,368 of more than 25,000 signatures were valid.
The statutory measure needed 15,582 signatures to qualify.
Legalizing Personal Responsibility
According to NAND, the referendum, Initiated Statutory Measure No. 1, will be the only voter initiative on the 2022 North Dakota ballot.
State Legislator Matthew Ruby says Measure 1 is a conservative approach to legalization based on legislation, HB 1420, that the House of Representatives approved.
Ruby, a campaign sponsoring committee member, says Measure 1 will allow adults to make responsible choices about cannabis use.
“It balances personal freedom with personal responsibility,” says Ruby in a NAND news release. “Adults will no longer be punished for using cannabis—but only if they do so safely and responsibly. As voters have the chance to review the measure in detail, I’m confident a majority will agree this is the right approach for North Dakota.”
Measure 1 would allow people over 21 to possess and use cannabis and grow up to three plants.
Measure 1 would also create a regulatory system for businesses and establish a testing infrastructure.
Additionally, the referendum will prohibit public cannabis consumption.
According to NAND, a responsible legal cannabis system will create jobs and support the agricultural community in North Dakota.
NAND says legalizing cannabis will also end unnecessary arrests, permitting police to address more-serious issues.
Attorney, former police officer, and campaign treasurer Mark Friese says he’s defended people accused of cannabis offenses for 20 years.
Friese says cannabis arrests are a waste of time and resources.
“There is no public safety benefit from arresting adults for small amounts of marijuana,” says Friese. “It is a waste of taxpayer resources and a distraction from serious public safety concerns. Cannabis causes far less harm than alcohol. Many people find therapeutic benefits from it.”
Friese says the government shouldn’t punish people who use cannabis responsibly.