The number of states opting to legalize cannabis continues to grow as federal officials debate nationwide reform. Many industry insiders are closely watching a legalization ballot initiative in Florida, but one Midwestern state is preparing for an election-day fight of its own.
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North Dakota marijuana supporters have secured a spot on the November ballot after officials certified that their legalization campaign collected enough valid signatures. Representatives from New Economic Frontier, the group behind the measure, submitted 22,384 signatures to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office. Of these, 18,964 were accepted, more than enough to meet the required threshold of 15,582 signatures.
Steve Bakken, chairperson of the New Economic Frontier, believes the initiative could provide a financial boon for the Flickertail State while also benefiting the community as a whole.
“It represents a unique opportunity for North Dakota to diversify its economy and alleviate some of the burden on our law enforcement and judicial systems,” Bakken said in a statement. “It’s about unlocking our state’s potential and securing a brighter future for all residents.”
The validation of signatures is a victory for cannabis advocates, but supporters of Measure 5 still have a long journey to victory. A July poll showed only 43 percent of North Dakota voters are in favor of legalization, with 57 percent opposed. A similar initiative failed to pass two years ago, with nearly 55 percent of residents voting against legal weed.
It’s possible North Dakotans will look to their neighbors while deciding whether to support Measure 5. South Dakota recently became the top hemp-producing state in the nation, but political hiccups have prevented full reform from taking place. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s nascent industry is ramping up, driven by the THC drink boom. If economics are any factor, Measure 5 may look fairly promising in terms of tax revenue and job creation—a big benefit of legalization.
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