Urge your legislators to introduce medical marijuana legislation next session
Last update: January 28, 2010
Currently, a woman dying of cancer in North Dakota who uses medical marijuana to treat her nausea from chemotherapy could go to jail — simply for trying to stay alive. Sadly, the North Dakota Legislature adjourned in 2009 without even considering a bill to protect the sick and dying individuals who use marijuana with the recommendations of their doctors. The North Dakota legislature does not meet and will return in 2011.
It's important to let your legislators know that this issue is important to you. Please send a letter asking them to introduce a bill to protect these patients during the 2010 session. Getting a bill introduced is the first step to changing this cruel policy. We have several prewritten letters available for you. But, please try to personalize your e-mail as much as possible by including something personal, such as how you came to support medical marijuana or how North Dakota not having a law that protects patients has affected someone you know.
North Dakotans are known for their compassion toward each other and their desire to take care of the suffering in their community. With your help, we can change the state's cruel policy that penalizes individuals for seeking, in consultation with their doctors, proven treatment for pain and suffering. Please take action now.
Learn 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 Indianas marijuana penalties and enforcement by
reading this report by Jon Gettman, PhD.
Write a letter to the editor
In order to move forward with medical marijuana policy reform, there needs to be an open discussion about the issue throughout the state. An excellent way to get the discussion started is by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. This will also show legislators throughout the state that the residents of North Dakota want the state to stop arresting medical marijuana patients. Please take a few minutes to craft a brief letter to the editor in support of medical marijuana.
Are you an influential member of your community?
If you are a patient, a medical professional, a law enforcement official, or a clergy member, please e-mail state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help.
Stay connected
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. To receive news about North Dakota marijuana policy reform as it happens, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free legislative alert service, if you haven't done so already.
