By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public News) – A Senate committee is now studying a bill to allow adult use of recreational marijuana.

The House passed the measure, after its sponsor said the purpose was to get in front of any initiated measure that would put recreational marijuana use in the state’s Constitution.

The measure limits possession and use, and does not permit people to “grow their own.” Instead, the marijuana would be produced in the state authorized “grow centers” for medical cannabis, and the product could only be sold in the licensed “compassion centers.”

Dustin Peyer has been an activist for legalization. He asked the Senate Human Services Committee to amend the measure to allow people to grow their own marijuana.

One opponent of the measure – Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser – told the Committee he would prefer that the issue of legalization be decided by the voters.

The Committee has not yet taken action.

The bill is HB 1420.