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North Dakota Governor Signs Cannabis Decriminalization Bill

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap] bill to decriminalize low-level cannabis possession passed in North Dakota, making it the 25th state to remove the penalty of jail time for small amounts of cannabis.

House Bill 1050 reclassifies the possession of up to one-half ounce of cannabis for a first-time offender from a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by jail time, to a criminal infraction, punishable by fine of up to $1,000 but no jail time. Individuals could be charged with a misdemeanor if they are charged with multiple infractions over a year.

“North Dakota has previously been ranked among the highest in the country in per capita marijuana possession arrests, so this move is a huge step forward,” Carly Wolf, NORML’s state policies coordinator, said.

The bill also reduces penalties for possession of greater amounts of cannabis. For cannabis possession of more than a half ounce to 500 grams of cannabis, the penalty is reduced rom a felony to a class B misdemeanor, and possession of over 500 grams is reduced from a felony to a class A misdemeanor. The penalty for possession of paraphernalia was also reduced to an infraction. The new penalties will go into effect August 1.

“This legislation is far from ideal, but it is a substantial step in the right direction,” Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project, said. “It is very encouraging to see a conservative state like North Dakota acknowledge and rectify the injustice of jailing people for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Lawmakers can no longer ignore public support for marijuana policy reform, which is growing quickly in every part of the country.”

North Dakota narrowly rejected cannabis decriminalization in February, but following the vote, the bill’s sponsor said they were “working on a work around.” North Dakota joins a growing list of states that have worked to decriminalize cannabis, including Texas.

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