Backers of proposed North Dakota cannabis ballot initiative optimistic voters will decide issue

(Fargo, ND) -- Backers of the effort to legalize cannabis use in North Dakota say they're optimistic their proposed ballot measure will come before voters. 

"We were collecting on average about 2,000 signatures per week so in less than 100 days we overshot our mark by about 10,000 signatures," said Mark Friese.

Friese is a former police officer and treasurer for the group New Approach North Dakota. The group says they've submitted more than 25,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state's office to get their measure on the November ballot. If the measure makes the ballot, and if approved by voters, it would allow adults 21 and over in the state to possess limited amounts of cannabis and purchase products from registered cannabis businesses in North Dakota.   

A similar measure was introduced in the state legislature in 2021.  The bill passed the house but was defeated in the full Senate. 

The measure would put policies in place to regulate retail stores, cultivators and other types of cannabis businesses. 

Original Air Date: 
Tuesday, July 12, 2022