2012 North Dakota medical marijuana initiative petition submitted to Secretary of State

Although the North Dakota Legislature has failed to introduce medical marijuana legislation, North Dakotans for Compassionate Care, a political committee supported by MPP, is working to make sure the voters of North Dakota get a chance to do what the legislature has been unwilling to — pass medical marijuana!

On May 22, 2012, North Dakotans for Compassionate Care submitted an initiative petition to the North Dakota Secretary of State for approval to begin gathering signatures to qualify for the November 2012 ballot. If enacted, this initiative would allow those with chronic and debilitating illnesses or conditions, legal and safe access to medical marijuana. It would create a regulated dispensary system and allow patients to possess up to two and a half ounces of medication.

The initiative will need 13,452 valid signatures by August to qualify for the ballot. If you are interested in helping gather signatures or getting involved with the campaign, please contact the campaign at info@ndcompassionatecare.org or 701-361-5800.

If you are supportive and are a medical professional, a seriously ill patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, a law enforcement official, a clergy member, or a member of the legal community, or you know someone else that is, please email state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help. Please include your address or nine-digit ZIP code. 

Learn more about North Dakota's marijuana laws

North Dakota has some of the harshest marijuana laws in the country. First offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to a year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine. You can learn more about North Dakota’s marijuana penalties and enforcement by reading this report by Jon Gettman, PhD.

You can send a letter to your legislators asking them to reduce the penalty for possession of marijuana to a civil fine or asking them to end marijuana prohibition entirely.

Stay connected

To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in North Dakota, be sure to subscribe to MPP’s free legislative alert service.