North Dakota Campaign Submits Over 25,000 Signatures to Place Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Measure on November Ballot

New Approach North Dakota has submitted over 25,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office to place an adult-use cannabis legalization measure on the state’s November ballot.

The campaign had to turn in 15,582 valid signatures by July 11 to get its initiative before voters this fall, Valley News Live reported.

The group, which began collecting signatures in late April after its petition received approval for circulation, ultimately submitted 25,762 signatures, according to the news outlet.

The proposal would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess limited amounts of cannabis, which would be sold through licensed businesses.

“This signature drive showed us that, from Williston to Grand Forks, people all across our state are ready for responsible cannabis policy reform,” New Approach North Dakota Campaign Manager David Owen told Valley News Live. “We are tremendously grateful to the tens of thousands of North Dakotans who signed and our terrific team of signature gatherers. We’re looking forward to all of our hard work paying off when we receive the official word that we’re on the ballot.”

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Owen also chaired the state’s Legalize ND campaign, which successfully placed an adult-use legalization measure on North Dakota’s November 2018 ballot that was ultimately defeated at the polls.

The campaign regrouped on a compromise proposal that it hoped to place on the 2020 ballot before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the campaign to set its sights on the 2022 election instead.

The Secretary of State now has 35 days, until Aug. 15, to determine whether there are enough valid signatures for the measure to land on the November ballot, Valley News Live reported.