Is Recreational Cannabis Coming to North Dakota?
North Dakota residents are showing their support for recreational marijuana and gearing up for another attempt to get adult-use recreational cannabis on the ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office has given the green light to begin collecting signatures for a measure that would allow eligible ND residents the ability to apply for cannabis business licensing in North Dakota.
To get the measure on the ballot, advocates need to gather over 15,000 valid signatures. If they collect the required signatures by July 8 of this year, the proposal will be voted on in the November general election. However, if they miss this deadline but manage to submit the signatures by April 25, 2025, the measure will appear on the ballot in the next statewide election in 2026.
This push comes after a previous attempt in 2022, when North Dakota voters rejected a similar measure, with 55% voting against legalization. This new effort follows Minnesota’s decision last year to legalize adult-use cannabis, potentially influencing the regional perspective on marijuana.
Getting cannabis business licensing in North Dakota is the first step to starting a legal recreational cannabis business. Those who are eligible would be able to apply for a license that would allow them to open a recreational North Dakota dispensary, a cultivation facility, processing or manufacturing facility, and other businesses necessary to fulfill the recreational cannabis supply chain. The initiative also includes the creation of a state regulatory body to establish application, licensing, cannabis business rules, and oversee cannabis-related businesses.
Eligible medical marijuana card holders and caregivers can get medical cannabis in North Dakota. North Dakota currently has a medical cannabis market supported by eight medical cannabis dispensaries. These dispensaries generated over 21 million dollars in sales during the 2023 fiscal year. The medical market was introduced with the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, which allows qualifying patients to obtain a medical marijuana card and purchase medical marijuana from licensed compassionate centers and medical dispensaries in North Dakota.
The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) evaluates and approves cannabis dispensary license applications. However, there is a cap of up to eight dispensaries statewide. The department is not currently accepting new dispensary applications for medical cannabis in North Dakota. The only way new dispensaries can be registered is if a current license is revoked, or if there is an increase in demand like a drastic increase in registered patients and caregivers. Notifications for new North Dakota dispensary license application periods are posted on the department’s website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does it Cost to Open a Dispensary in BC?
Opening a British Columbia dispensary can cost anywhere from $250,000 to over $2 million. These costs vary depending on factors like location, build-out, staffing, consulting fees, application and licensing fees, and more. The application fee for a B.C. dispensary is $7,500, with a first year licensing fee of $1,500 and an annual renewal fee of $1,500.
How Much Does a Dispensary Owner Make a Year in BC?
After starting a dispensary, owners typically make between $250,000 and $500,000, but this number can fluctuate depending on a variety of factors including your dispensaries success, staffing, the market, and more. The average dispensary generates around $2 million dollars a year in revenue.
How do I Open a Dispensary in Surrey?
To open a dispensary in Surrey you will need a cannabis retail license, a compliant location, and everything else needed to begin operating a dispensary. The first step to starting a dispensary in Surrey will be submitting a valid and complete application as soon as the application window opens.
Can I Sell Cannabis Online in Surrey?
Retail dispensaries can sell cannabis online for delivery to customers for recreational use. Only licensed retail dispensaries can deliver cannabis, and all deliveries must be made to consumers age 19 or older.
Are the Dispensary Laws Different in Surrey than in Vancouver?
The dispensary laws will likely be slightly different in Surrey than in Vancouver. The rules that dispensaries must follow after being established will likely be the same, but the application framework may be different. For example, Surrey might have different setback distances than Vancouver and different municipal rules.
