Our Opinion/Time to Legalize Medical Marijuana in ND

Petition for ballot measure receives approval

This week supporters of a medical marijuana ballot measure had their petition accepted by the ND Secretary of State. Assuming all goes to plan in the process, they hope to be out in mid-November this year gathering the over 13,000 necessary signatures to get legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot for the November 2016 general election. They shouldn’t have much trouble gathering the signatures. Polls have shown majority support for legalizing medical marijuana in the state.

It is long past time for North Dakota to not only have debate and discussion on the issue but also to legalize medical marijuana. It is an issue that is not a partisan one but can unite people of different political stripes. There is no reason that sick individuals should have to go without treatment for something proven to give them relief like nothing else can. We’ve seen in other states that have debated medical marijuana parents of children with seizures pleading for passage of medical marijuana or they may be forced to move to a state where it is legal. Many of those currently in need of medical marijuana are forced to buy it illegally.

Some of the medical benefits of marijuana could helping those with glaucoma, controlling epileptic seizures, reducing effects of cancer, decreasing anxiety in particular for those suffering from the effects of PTSD, slowing Alzheimer’s progression, easing the pain of multiple sclerosis, helping arthritis sufferers, AIDS patients, Crohn’s Disease, muscle spasms, those with terminal illnesses and much more. Many of these patients can’t find relief from current prescribed medications. It is the right, humane thing to do to help them find relief. And it can be done and administered professionally and medically as has been done in many other states.

North Dakota has seen itself as a leader on issues that benefit it economically yet are controversial such as fracking and drones. There’s no reason medical marijuana should be that different and it’s not even that controversial. In some ways, North Dakota is of course very conservative. But helping those who need it medically could bring together libertarians, those who want the government out of medical decisions and progressives, who want to see those who need it get medical relief.

Of course there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. This ballot measure is modeled after a bill legalizing medical marijuana in the North Dakota Legislature which failed. It legalizes possession of up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment for over 10 medical conditions. Patients would pick up the marijuana at state licensed dispensaries across the state, and people living more than 40 miles away from the dispensary could grow up to 8 marijuana plants. We’ve seen in Minnesota which recently legalized medical marijuana in the Legislature, problems in getting relief to patients. The high cost of medical marijuana in Minnesota has seen many forgo it to continue buying on the black market. There has been trouble in opening the dispensaries such as in Moorhead causing some to have to drive many miles to get the help they need. Minnesota’s medical marijuana law was also one of the most restrictive and conservative in the state, crafted in concert with law enforcement, who oppose many aspects of medical marijuana generally.

Putting the measure in the hands of the people, having them vote on it, is the best way to do it. We’ve seen in the past medical marijuana legalization bills fail in the North Dakota Legislature but it has gotten closer to passage even there. Overcoming things like law enforcement opposition will be easier with individual voters however versus politicians concerned about losing law enforcement endorsement over the matter such as happened with Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton. Once the signatures are gathered and they will be, North Dakotans can have a robust debate on the matter once and for all. And when it’s finished, we are hoping that medical marijuana will finally be legal in the state. It is the right thing to do, even if it took way too long. Better late than never.