Medical Marijuana in North Dakota
North Dakota legalized medical marijuana on November 8th, 2016, after voters approved Measure 5, also known as the “North Dakota Compassionate Care Act.” However, it took some time for the state to establish its regulatory framework, and it wasn’t until March 2019 that the first medical marijuana dispensary opened its doors for North Dakota patients.
Under North Dakota’s competitive scoring process, there are only two (2) manufacturing compassion centers and eight (8) dispensing compassion centers permitted under regulations. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDH) may register additional licenses, If increased access to usable marijuana is determined. Per March 7th, 2023, the Department of Health, Division of Medical Marijuana reported that North Dakota has 9,239 registered patients.
Recreational Marijuana in North Dakota
Presently, New Economic Frontier is overseeing a campaign to acquire enough signatures for voters to vote this November to legalize marijuana in the state. The campaign will have until July 8, 2024, to demonstrate they have acquired the requisite number of signatures to qualify. If the measure is successful, the NDDH will be required to establish the rules for a regulatory framework for the recreational program by October 1, 2025. Moreover, the NDDH will be limited to approving licenses for up to seven (7) cannabis manufacturers and eighteen (18) retailers, as well as limiting licensees to no more than four (4) dispensaries to avoid creating intrastate monopolies.
Authorized Forms of Medical Marijuana in North Dakota
As per Chapter 19-24.1 of North Dakota Century Code, medical cannabinoid products are limited to the following forms: (i) Cannabinoid solution; (ii) Cannabinoid capsule; (ii) Cannabinoid transdermal patch; and (iv) Cannabinoid topical. The law does not include cannabinoid edible products, cannabinoid concentrate by itself, or dried leaves or flowers of the plant of the genus cannabis by itself.
North Dakota’s Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana
Agitation from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); Anorexia nervosa; Anxiety disorder; Autism spectrum disorder; Brain injury; Bulimia nervosa; Cachexia or Wasting syndrome; Cancer; Chronic or debilitating disease; Crohn’s disease; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; Endometriosis; Epilepsy; Fibromyalgia; Glaucoma; Hepatitis C; HIV/AIDS; Interstitial cystitis; Intractable nausea; Neuropathy; Migraine; Multiple sclerosis; Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Rheumatoid arthritis; Seizures; Severe and persistent muscle spasms; Severe debilitating pain; Spinal stenosis; Terminally ill patients admitted to hospice care; Tourette syndrome
Upcoming Applications for Marijuana Business Licenses
Currently, North Dakota is not accepting any new applications as they have licensed the applicable number of licenses allowed under the law.
In the state of North Dakota, three (3) companies – Curaleaf, Pure Dakota Health, and We-Mend (Strive Life) – are the present licensees of the two (2) registered manufacturing compassion centers and eight (8) registered dispensing compassion centers. For further details on the legislative changes coming to North Dakota in 2023, click HERE.
Now is the time to get started to join North Dakota’s lucrative medical marijuana industry! If you are interested in acquiring a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Business License, schedule an appointment with us to discuss your options.
Last Updated: June 12th, 2024