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Campaigners who managed to put a measure to legalize adult-use marijuana in North Dakota know that success isn’t done and dusted. The voters have rejected similar measures in the recent past; in 2022 and also back in 2018. Those working to enact marijuana policy reforms know that they have to do things differently in order to ensure that their third attempt is the charm.
Steve Bakken, who heads the group that is working to see Measure 5 get voter approval next month, says they must be careful to avoid creating the impression among voters that should marijuana prohibition end, a laissez-faire situation like what is in Washington or even Colorado could unfold in North Dakota. Bakken adds that North Dakota is a conservative state and that everything must be done to ensure that the cannabis legalization model proposed doesn’t trigger the sensibilities of conservatives in the wrong way.
For that reason, the ballot measure seeks to create a limited scope of recreational marijuana manufacturing and sales. For example, only 18 retail licenses are to be issued and just a paltry seven licenses will be issued to firms wishing to cultivate and manufacture recreational marijuana products.
Measure 5 has provisions limiting businesses to just one license to manufacture products, and a maximum of four retail shops across the state. This is intended to prevent a few companies from monopolizing the industry as has been seen in some states where no such restrictions were imposed. The proposal also bans an owner of a marijuana business from having an ownership stake in another marijuana business which is located within a 20-mile radius of any cannabis business they own either fully or partially.
It is worth noting that North Dakota is dominated by Republican-leaning residents. Approximately 76% of registered voters favor the GOP, and this had a hand in the last two legalization attempts falling short of the needed support. The efforts to tone down the scale of reforms is intended to show that legalization can happen without trampling on the sensibilities of the voters.
A recent poll shows a tight contest, with voters in favor standing at 45% while those opposed to the measure are 40%. Those who aren’t decided were 15%.
The GOP candidate in the presidential race could also have some influence in the way some voters regard the legalization measure. Trump endorsed a measure aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida. Will this tilt the scale and make those who are undecided vote for cannabis legalization in North Dakota? That is the same question that industry actors like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) are probably asking themselves as they watch the events in North Dakota unfold in the run up to the elections.
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