Previously restricted to flower, concentrates, liquids, tinctures, capsules and topical patches, medical cannabis patients in North Dakota will have another option – edibles.
Voters in the state approved “North Dakota Compassionate Care Act”. Following the passage of laws, North Dakota Department of Health’s (NDDoH), was mandated to create and implement a Medical Marijuana Program.
Since those first years, the program has grown and at this time in early April 2010, 10,437 people were registered. Some of the conditions that qualify for this program include cancer, ALS PTSD anxiety disorder Crohn’s and fibromyalgia.
Governor Kelly Armstrong has continued the evolution by signing HB1203, introducing edibles, last week. However, unlike in some states, edibles will have a very strict restriction.
In HB1203, edibles can be defined as hard or soft lozenges with a geometrical square shape, containing a concentrate of cannabinoids or dried leaves or flower of the cannabis genus. This restriction is intended to prevent products from being made that are particularly appealing or marketed towards minors. The permitted packaging or labeling may not be targeted at minors.
The maximum allowed amount of the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol cannabinoid (THC), in an edible cannabinoid product, is also five milligrams. In a packaging, it’s fifty milligrams. Packaging for edibles should be child-resistant, resealable and not transparent. Labelling cannot include any images.
Steve Vetter was the main sponsor of HB1203 and he previously claimed that HB1203 will be the strictest edibles law with the highest level of protections in the USA.
As early as April this year, the Senate passed the bill. Rep. Vetter said:
The ND government is implementing this program to help hundreds of citizens deal with their pain in a more healthy and safe way.
More information about North Dakota’s Medical Marijuana Program can be found here.
A campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in the state is also ongoing. A petition effort to get the issue in front of voters on last November’s ballot gathered more than 22,000 signatures – blasting past the minimum requirement of 15,582. The issue was defeated by North Dakota voters, who voted against it 52.53%.