Signatures were solicited outside the Fargodome on June 7, 2024, for a petition to put legalized marijuana to a statewide vote. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)
By: Michael Achterling
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Recreational marijuana advocates experienced a statewide bummer Tuesday as an adult-use cannabis measure appeared headed for defeat for the third time in six years.
Voters rejected Measure 5 52% to 48% in early results.
In an interview with the North Dakota Monitor, Steve Bakken, former Bismarck mayor and chair of the measure’s sponsoring committee, said he’s worried about the next recreational cannabis measure that comes up for a vote because it’ll most likely come from out of state.
“It’s not going to be as conservative as the fabric of North Dakota is and I don’t wanna see that,” Bakken said.
Multiple law enforcement and health care organizations came out against Measure 5 ahead of Election Day.
Pat Finken, chair of the Brighter Future Alliance, a group opposing Measure 5, said he hopes the recreational marijuana issue has been put to rest in North Dakota.
“Once again, the voters of North Dakota have wisely rejected an attempt to legalize recreational marijuana,” Finken said late Tuesday. “They understand that today’s marijuana is not safe and legalization will only add to the addiction and mental health crisis already punishing North Dakota families.”
Neighboring Montana and Minnesota have legalized adult-use recreational marijuana. South Dakota voters on Tuesday were also weighing a ballot measure about legalizing recreational marijuana for adults.
A previous attempt to legalize recreational cannabis in North Dakota failed in 2018 with 59% of voters opposed and again in 2022 with 55% opposed.
North Dakota voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2016.
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