BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota Sec. of State Al Jaeger declared that a sufficient number of valid signatures were submitted to place a statutory cannabis legalization initiative before voters in the November 8th election.

New Approach North Dakota spokesman David Owen said, later this year, North Dakotans will have an opportunity to join 19 other states that have adopted laws to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults. Of the more than 25,000 signatures submitted in support of the legalization petition earlier this summer, the North Dakota Sec. of State’s review process determined that 23,368 of those were valid, clearing the ballot qualification threshold of 15,582 signatures for statutory measures.

The referendum, which will be titled “Initiated Statutory Measure No. 1,” will be the only voter initiative to appear on North Dakotans’ ballot this year. The proposal is largely based on language from a legislative cannabis legalization proposal, House Bill 1420, which was approved by the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2021. If enacted by voters this year.

Measure 1 will: Permit adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and small quantities of cannabis products, such as concentrates and infused products; Allow adults to cultivate up to three cannabis plants in a secured location on their property; establish a comprehensive regulatory system for registered cannabis businesses that may produce and sell cannabis to adults; Require cannabis products to be tested by state-approved laboratories; and Prohibit the public consumption of cannabis.