Shaping North Dakota’s Future
Promoting Local Growth and Prosperity Through Responsible Cannabis Legalization
The Growing Movement for Legalization
As more states across the nation embrace the benefits of adult-use cannabis legalization, North Dakota stands at a pivotal moment. The evolving landscape of cannabis policy showcases a trend of economic growth, improved public health, and enhanced community resources in states that have already legalized it. To put this into perspective, this map highlights the current status of cannabis laws across the United States., including key states looking to legalize adult-use in the 2024 election.
It’s Time To Expand North Dakota’s Economy
North Dakota’s economy is poised for growth, and legalizing cannabis presents a unique opportunity to expand it further. As seen in other states, legalizing adult-use cannabis can fuel economic development by creating new jobs, stimulating tourism, and generating tax revenue. By embracing this growing industry, we can unlock new sources of income, foster entrepreneurship, and build a more resilient and prosperous economy for North Dakota.
Enhance Workplace Safety
Legalizing adult-use cannabis brings a new level of clarity and safety to the workplace. By establishing clear, regulated guidelines for cannabis use, we empower employers to create comprehensive policies that ensure a safe and productive work environment. This approach allows businesses to address cannabis use proactively, just as they do with alcohol and other substances.
Allocate Tax Revenue To Essential Services
North Dakota stands to benefit significantly from the legalization of adult-use cannabis through increased tax revenue. It has the potential to generate substantial funds that can be allocated towards critical areas such as education, public services, and healthcare. By tapping into this new revenue stream, the state can make strategic investments in these essential services, improving overall quality of life for its residents.
Regulate Cannabis Possession And Consumption
Our statutory ballot measure establishes a responsible system to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults in North Dakota. Under our measure, individuals aged 21 and older can use cannabis in the privacy of their homes without fear of punishment. They can possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis, 4 grams of concentrate, and 1500 milligrams of adult use Cannabinoid products, 300 milligrams of which can be in the form of an adult use Cannabinoid edible product. Sensible restrictions remain in place to prevent public consumption, driving under the influence, and providing cannabis to minors. Cannabis businesses will be regulated, ensuring products are tested for potency and contaminants and tracked from seed to sale.
Empower Freedom of Choice for North Dakotans
Arresting adults for minor cannabis offenses drains law enforcement resources and burdens our judicial system. By legalizing cannabis, we can redirect these valuable resources toward addressing more pressing public safety concerns, ensuring our communities are safer and our officers can focus on serious crimes.
Expand Access For North Dakotans Who Could Benefit From Cannabis For Medical Reasons
Despite North Dakota’s medical marijuana program, many qualifying patients, like veterans, face obstacles in accessing the treatment they need. From locating a provider willing to prescribe to the effort required to establish a strong patient-doctor relationship, individuals may lack the time or resources to access medical marijuana. If it remains illegal, concerns about stigma or legal consequences may deter some people from seeking this beneficial treatment. Our measure seeks to eliminate these barriers and ensure that there is safe and regulated access to cannabis for medicinal purposes.
End The Stigma Around Adult Cannabis Use
Legalization can help reduce the stigma around cannabis use, shifting perceptions from criminal to therapeutic. This change fosters open conversations, promotes acceptance of personal health choices, and ultimately leads to a more inclusive society where individuals are not judged for cannabis use. Legalization not only benefits physical and mental health but also emphasizes the therapeutic potential of cannabis, helping individuals view it as a valuable resource for wellness.
“Since legal programs opened, we’ve seen a drop in violent crime in Denver and in Washington State,” “We’re not seeing any increase in crime rates through marijuana — we’re seeing lower crime rates, and there are good rational reasons for that: We’re really beginning to cripple the criminal market, which is where violence actually occurs.”
Taylor West
Deputy Director for the National Cannabis Industry Association
“Marijuana prohibition is a horrible waste of good police time. Every hour spent looking for pot reduces public safety.”