Breaking on BEK: New Effort to Legalize Recreational Cannabis in North Dakota

The group New Economic Frontier, chaired by former Bismarck mayor and current Burleigh County commissioner Steve Bakken, filed a ballot measure petition today, and has until July 8th to collect the 15,582 signatures needed to appear on the November general election ballot.

"When you are seeing what's coming into the state laced with fentanyl or laced with other filler drugs, a lot of people don't know what they are getting, and if it's taxed and regulated and the constraints on manufacture are all there and we do it the North Dakota way then I think it is a good thing to pass," said Bakken.

The proposed measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis flower, 4 grams of concentrate, and 1500 milligrams of cannabinoid products. It would also allow the ability to grow 3 plants per person over 21, with a maximum of six per household. Users would only be able to consume products on private property.

The measure would also allow for up to seven manufacturing facilities and 18 dispensaries. There are currently 2 manufacturing facilities 8 dispensaries operating in North Dakota.

"A lot of those numbers were worked on with the Attorney General's office, law enforcement, the Health Department, and the various stakeholders that are involved. So a measure could be drafted that works with state agencies rather than against state agencies," Bakken said.

The sponsoring committee also features Dem NPL Lieutenant Governor candidate Patrick Hart and Rep. Matthew Ruby, a republican from District 40 in Minot.

For more information about the measure go to neweconomicfrontier.com.