1 week Ago By FCC Editorial Advisory Board
For a moment, put aside the fact that it seems Americans are coming around on legalized marijuana. At present, recreational use and possession is legal in 24 states. Even in North Dakota, where it’s not currently legal, it appears residents are warming to the idea.
For instance, in 2016, residents voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. In 2018, recreational marijuana failed in a statewide vote, only getting 41% in favor of the proposal; in 2022, it failed again, but the margin was closer, 55% to 45%. ADVERTISEMENT Aside from what appears to be a softening on the issue, we feel it’s time to legalize recreational marijuana because North Dakotans can be trusted on issues of personal responsibility and accountability.
A proposal to legalize recreational marijuana is again before North Dakota voters, who will decide its fate on Nov. 5. Passage of Measure 5 would allow individuals to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, 4 grams of concentrate and 300 milligrams of edibles.
It also would mean individuals can grow up to three plants, with a limit of six plants per household. We suggest a “yes” vote because what once seemed so radical is fast becoming the norm. Thirty years ago, medical marijuana wasn’t legal anywhere in the U.
S. — that is, until California voters approved the medical use of pot in 1996. Although marijuana can help reduce the suffering from a number of conditions — ranging from cancer to glaucoma to epilepsy — it took two decades before North Dakota finally followed suit.
Medical marijuana has become normal — it's legal in 38 states — and has led the way to increasing legal recreational use. Around here, Minnesota and Montana have legalized marijuana for recreational use and South Dakota is considering it on Nov. 5, too.
It’s legal throughout Canada. In 2019, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill that decriminalized low-level marijuana possession infractions.
Proponents believe legalization will allow the state to tax an industry that obviously already exists, albeit illegally. It could mean big dollars — likely millions per year in tax revenue. Also, proponents in North Dakota predict it will foster entrepreneurship and stimulate tourism.
Purchasing marijuana at a legal dispensary will be safer than buying it in some back alley. ADVERTISEMENT Further, some believe enforcement of marijuana laws can, at times, be racist. Critiques of recreational marijuana — worries about impaired drivers and workers, or that today's marijuana has a higher potency than in the past — could have been said over the years about alcohol.
For example, the days of 3.2% alcohol beer are apparently coming to an end, replaced with high-alcohol seltzers, craft beers and canned mixed drinks. The evolution is tempered by education and reminders about responsibility and restraint.
More and more, marijuana laws are loosening because residents in states across the nation believe they deserve the opportunity to legally smoke a marijuana cigarette or consume a marijuana edible. The truth is, many already are doing it. We suggest voting yes on Measure 5, because we believe North Dakotans can be trusted with this responsibility, too.
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