North Dakota Legislators have launched reform that allows for more cannabis decriminalization policies within the state.
The legislators submitted the bill on Monday and it would be part of the original cannabis authorization decree that was implemented a year ago.
According to the existing statute, possession of more than half-ounce is an infringement by law that attracts a $1000 fine with zero jail time. The new reform would legalize possession of not more an ounce. Possession of more than that would be treated as a non-criminal act punishable by a $50 fine
Also, the possession of at least 250 grams of marijuana would be a law infringement instead of a B-class misdemeanour as presently categorized.
Possession of over 250 grams cannabis would be a B-class offence and 500 grams would be an A-class offence.
Representative Jones Shannon Roers and Senator Meyer Scott are sponsoring the initiative in their respective departments. The bill awaits the approval of the House Judiciary Committee.
Moffat Jared, North Dakota’s manager at the MPP, Marijuana Policy Project, appreciated Representative Jones and her mates’ efforts in reducing the unreasonable and hostile punishments for minor marijuana offences in the state.
Jared said that decriminalization is not a replacement of cannabis authorization and regulation, like the way multiple neighboring states have done; however, the bill’s approval would alleviate the state’s trend of growth witnessed in the previous years.
Advocates are making plans to table a legalization ballot measure before the state’s residents in the 2022 ballot vote.
Earlier last week, the measure was submitted to Al Jaeger, the State Secretary. It would permit 21 and older adults to possess and grow marijuana for recreational purposes. In case its language is approved, the campaign will start collecting signatures to be eligible for a ballot vote.
The same group championing for the recent measure were almost able to include a similar initiative in the state’s 2020 ballot, however, efforts to petition the case were delayed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
