The North Dakota campaign to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state failed to collect enough signatures to put the question on midterm ballots, falling 11,664 signatures short on last Saturday’s deadline, the Bismarck Tribune reports. The group had to collect 31,164 signatures in a one-year time limit but only collected 19,500.
Dustin Peyer, a member of the group spearheading the campaign, said that organizers are now forming committees to propose two future initiatives — including another aimed at broad legalization and another related to the quality and accessibility of medical cannabis, which is legal in the state.
“We grew support across the state through a network of small businesses. The biggest obstacle is those who are pushing the hardest are disabled, parents, business owners, or have generally a lot going on in their life.” — Peyer to the Tribune
The 2020 campaign to enact the reforms in North Dakota had also failed amid the coronavirus pandemic which hindered the group’s signature-gathering campaign.
State lawmakers also rejected cannabis reform bills, including one that was passed by the House but killed by the Senate and another that would have put the issue to voters during this year’s midterm elections.
North Dakota voters approved medical cannabis legalization in 2016 but opposed adult-use legalization in 2018.
The proposal would have legalized cannabis possession and use for individuals 21-and-older while allowing the Legislature to license and regulate the industry. It would have allowed home cultivation of up to 12 plants and banned public use.
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