BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe has reviewed petitions submitted to his office on July 8, 2024, by proponents to initiate a statutory measure on the ballot related to the legalization of cannabis and related regulation. A total of 18,964 signatures were accepted, 3,382 signatures over the required threshold of 15,582 signatures, which qualifies the initiated measure for inclusion on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot.
Below is a breakdown of the signatures accepted and rejected (View Petition Review Summary):
- Required Signatures: 15,582 signatures (2% of state population in the last census for an initiated statutory measure)
- Submitted Signatures: 22,384 signatures
- Rejected Signatures: 3,420 signatures (due to incorrect or insufficient information)
- Insufficient information breakout:
- 1,341 inadequate signature
- 108 out-of-state address
- 121 no date
- 762 circulator error
- 922 address omission
- 166 petition not circulated in its entirety
- 1,341 inadequate signature
- Insufficient information breakout:
The statutory measure related to the legalization of cannabis and related regulation will appear on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot and be assigned as Measure 5 according to the provisions of N.D.C.C. § 16.1-06-09. The Office of the Secretary of State had 35 days to review petitions and determine the adequacy of signatures to place the measure on ballot according to N.D.C.C. § 16.1-01-10.
The statutory initiative title is as follows:
The initiated measure would create a new chapter of the North Dakota Century Code. It would allow for the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and the possession and use of various forms of cannabis by individuals who are 21 years of age and older; direct a state entity to regulate and register adult use cannabis production businesses, dispensaries, and their agents; provide protections for individuals who are 21 years of age or older who use cannabis; provide penalties for violations of the chapter; preserve certain employer rights regarding use of cannabis products by employees; supersede local ordinances that otherwise would prohibit the purchase, sale, use, delivery, or growing of cannabis by or to individuals 21 years of age or older; and provide that fees must be appropriated for administration of this chapter.
News Release PDF - Statutory Initiative Related to Legalization of Cannabis Approved for November 5, 2024 Ballot