On the radio show today we had an hour-long and very informative debate about Measure 3 which, if approved in November, would legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota. David Owens from Legalize ND made the affirmative argument for the measure while Will Jones from Smart Approaches to Marijuana provided the counter argument. I also discussed…
Podcast: Heitkamp’s Handling of Sex Abuse Case in the 1990’s, Burgum’s Fiscal Record, Opposition to Measure 3
On the radio show today we talked extensively about the bombshell Fox News story about Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s handling of a physical/sexual investigation involving a Native American school back in the 1990’s when she was Attorney General. Also Chris Edwards from the Cato Institute talked about their ranking North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as the…
Podcast: Rep. Marvin Nelson Talks Marijuana, House Majority Leader Al Carlson Talks #NoDAPL and Heidi Heitkamp
On the radio show today, Democratic state Representative Marvin Nelson talked about the challenges North Dakota lawmakers may face if Measure 3 to legalize recreational marijuana passes. He says the Legislature may have to tweak a few things, but that they’re more than capable of making it work. House Majority Leader Al Carlson also joined…
Sean Foss: Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Creates Conundrum for Employers
This guest post was submitted by Fargo attorney Sean Foss. As North Dakota voters consider whether to approve Measure 3, which would generally legalize recreational marijuana use for those aged 21 and up, employers in the State face a particularly-difficult conundrum: if the measure passes, it will become illegal for most employers to discriminate against…
When Measure 3 Opponents Say Legal Marijuana Won’t Produce Tax Revenues They’re Wrong
One of the blizzard of talking points opponents of Measure 3 (legalizing recreational marijuana) have deployed is the claim that it would not generate additional tax revenues for the state. It’s a rebuttal to the claim from marijuana supporters that legalizing the drug would be an economic boon, bringing black market commerce into the light…
Senator Heitkamp Won’t Say Where She Stands on North Dakota’s Measure to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Recently a SAB reader who attended a discussion on addiction in West Fargo told me they overheard the host of that discussion, Senator Heidi Heitkamp, tell other attendees that Measure 3 is a bad idea. That measure, if approved by North Dakota voters in November, would make recreational marijuana legal in our state. Last week,…
Podcast: NORML Representatives Talk Measure 3
On the radio show today, two representatives from the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML) spoke out in support of Measure 3 which, if passed, would legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota. We also talked about the latest developments in the Kavanaugh confirmation process, a proposal to track the “place of last drink” of…
If Marijuana Legalization Has Been So Bad for Other States, Why Have So Many of Them Done It?
When opponents of Measure 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota, make their case against the proposal they often cite statistics from other parts of the country where marijuana has been legalized. The intent is to provide for us a cautionary tale about how legalizing marijuana might go in our state. A recent…
Print Column: Health Department’s Fiscal Note for Recreational Marijuana Measure Is Ridiculous
MINOT, N.D.—The Legislative Management Committee in Bismarck recently considered reports on the fiscal impacts of the four ballot measures on our November ballot. This is an important step in the legislative process, allowing the various state agencies to chime in on what sort of impacts these measures might have if they’re approved by voters. For…
Podcast: North Dakotans Against Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, Kevin Cramer Takes Calls
Bob Wefald, spokesman for North Dakotans Against Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, was on the show today to make his organization’s case against Measure 3. Also Congressman Kevin Cramer joined for his weekly open phones segment, taking calls. The full episode is below. If you can’t listen live, get the podcast: