The North Dakota House on Tuesday voted down two bills to allow edible products in the state’s medical cannabis program, KFYR reports. The bills would have amended the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law and, therefore, required two-thirds support to pass.
During the vote, Rep. Steve Vetter (R) said the bills aimed to give “something the people wanted.”
“The people voted for this, and now here we are, six years later, trying to give the people what they originally asked for.” — Vetter via KFYR
Proponents of adding edibles to the program argued they are healthier than smoking or vaping. Opponents raised concerns of the risks to children. Medical cannabis patients in North Dakota have access to flower, concentrates, tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches, and lotions.
The bills would have only allowed edible squares and lozenges
The state’s medical cannabis program has 8,898 active patient cards. There are two manufacturing facilities and eight dispensaries statewide, according to the Bismarck Tribune.
Similar bills to add edible products to the state medical cannabis program have failed since 2019.
Last November, voters rejected a ballot measure to legalize cannabis for adult use. The initiative failed by a 55% to 46% margin. It was the second defeat for the reforms in the state, where North Dakotans voted down a similar measure in 2018 59% to 41%.
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