North Dakotans could see two different measures on the ballot next year to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.
One comes in the form of a state Constitutional amendment. The other would be a statute.
"It is time cannabis is taken out of the failed war on drugs," said Jody Vetter of "ND For Freedom of Cannabis” – the group that is pushing for the Constitutional change. She told the Legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee the one-page measure calls on the Legislature to write the law to regulate the commercial sale of cannabis in North Dakota.
"It would also be unlawful to see cannabis, or grow cannabis to be sold, or sell cannabis-infused products without obtaining the proper license," Vetter told the committee.
The statutory measure is sponsored by “Legalize ND.” Spokesman David Owen says the 45 page measure spells out the regulations for legal cannabis in North Dakota. But the measure’s length drew concerns from State Rep.Kim Koppelman (R-West Fargo).
"It seems to be very voluminous, and creates a latrge bureacracy to regulate all of this," Koppelman said.
"If I remember correctly, Rep. Koppelman, you brought up the concern with the last measure that it wasn't sufficiently regulated, and that we needed a vast regulatory structure to legalize it," Owen replied. "I believe it was you and other members of your party that said many times it was poorly written and not well structure, for the exact reason you're now criticizing the bill."
In 2018, voters rejected a measure to legalize recreational marijuana by a 60-40 vote.
Owen said attorneys are now looking at the measure to get it into shape for signature collection. That measure needs 13,452 valid signatures to go on the ballot – the Constitutional measure needs 26,904 valid signatures.
The committee also heard from the state Health Department's Division of Medical Marijuana. During that discussion, Rep. Karen Karls (R-Bismarck) ased Division Director Jason Wahl about whether "vaping" of marijuana is allowed.
"Under the medical marijuana program, one of the authorized products is a concentrate," Wahl told the Committee. "Under state law, a concentrate can be in a disposable 'vape pen' or a vaping cartridge."
Wahl said vaping is allowed under certain rules and conditions.
"We do not allow the maunfacturing facility to add any additives to that concentrate, prior to it going into the vape pen or cartridge," Wahl said. "What's in those products is 100% pure distallate concentrate, with no additional additives, no flavoring, nothing else."
Wahl told the Committee he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.
