Gov. Armstrong, Burgum, AG Wrigley — The Executive Posture

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects North Dakota cannabis law as of May 2026 and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDDHHS) Division of Medical Marijuana or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Last verified: May 2026

Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R)

Kelly Armstrong was inaugurated as North Dakota’s 34th governor on December 15, 2024, succeeding Gov. Doug Burgum. Armstrong’s background:

Former U.S. Representative for North Dakota’s at-large congressional district (2019-2024).
Former state senator.
Lawyer by training.
Won the 2024 gubernatorial race.

Armstrong’s Cannabis Posture

Armstrong has explicitly opposed recreational legalization while being publicly supportive of medical cannabis. As a U.S. Representative, he voted for SAFE/SAFER Banking Act iterations and for medical-cannabis research expansions — relatively moderate positions in the House Republican conference.

As governor, he signed the 2025 medical expansion package:

HB 1203 (Vetter, low-dose THC lozenges; effective August 1, 2025).
SB 2293 (concentrate container limits + patient ID flexibility).
SB 2294 (two-year card validity, telehealth for initial certifications, fee adjustments).

The December 2025 Trump Schedule III Order

When President Trump’s December 2025 executive order moved toward Schedule III rescheduling, Armstrong publicly noted the policy "gets complicated really quick" without endorsing or opposing the move. Armstrong has stated federal rescheduling would not change ND state law. See Schedule III page.

Former Gov. Doug Burgum (R, 2016-2024)

Doug Burgum served as North Dakota’s 33rd governor from December 15, 2016 to December 15, 2024. Software-industry background (founded Great Plains Software, sold to Microsoft 2001). Cannabis-related actions:

2017 SB 2344 — The Measure 5 Restriction

On April 17, 2017, Burgum signed SB 2344, which substantially rewrote the voter-approved 2016 Measure 5: eliminated home-cultivation provision, established Division of Medical Marijuana within the Department of Health, capped at 2 manufacturers + 8 dispensaries. The restriction reduced the program’s scope significantly compared to voter intent.

2019 HB 1050 — The Decrim Infraction

Burgum signed HB 1050 effective August 1, 2019: 1 oz first offense decriminalized to non-jail criminal infraction with $1,000 maximum fine. The reform reduced incarceration burden but kept among the highest infraction-level fines in any "decrim" state.

The 100 Pardons

Per the Collateral Consequences Resource Center, citing Associated Press (July 8, 2024): "by 2023 [Burgum] had pardoned a total of about 100 people convicted of marijuana possession" through the Pardon Advisory Board’s expedited process. Burgum opposed recreational legalization but used the pardon power to address backlog convictions.

Burgum to U.S. Secretary of Interior

Burgum left office to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the second Trump administration. The Interior Department oversees federal land (~28% of U.S. land area), Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Park Service — all of which have cannabis-policy intersections.

AG Drew Wrigley (R)

Drew Wrigley was appointed Attorney General in February 2022 to fill the vacancy left by AG Wayne Stenehjem’s death. Wrigley was subsequently elected. Wrigley’s office is the primary state law-enforcement institution opposing legalization:

AG opinions interpreting cannabis statutes.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation drug-task-force operations.
Civil-asset-forfeiture coordination.
Coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller (R)

Tammy Miller, former Border States Industries CEO, serves as Lt. Governor under Armstrong. Has not been a leading voice on cannabis but reflects the administration’s general approach.

Legislative Leadership

Senate Majority Leader David Hogue (R-Minot) — consistent firewall on recreational and decriminalization-expansion legislation.
House Majority Leader Mike Lefor (R-Dickinson) — shapes House policy tone.

The Republican Supermajority

The 2025-26 North Dakota Legislative Assembly is overwhelmingly Republican, with a Republican supermajority in both chambers. Cannabis-policy reform requires building Republican coalition support; state House has supported recreational-style legislation (HB 1420 2021 56-38; HB 1596 2025 decrim) but the Senate has been the consistent firewall.

Anti-Reform Coalition Posture

The ND executive-legislative anti-reform alignment combines:

Armstrong / Burgum / Wrigley executive posture.
Hogue / Lefor legislative leadership.
Brighter Future Alliance opposition coalition (Pat Finken, NDMA, NDHA, sheriffs, chiefs, petroleum, Catholic Conference, Family Alliance, Farmers Union).
Per-capita military service rate among highest in U.S. with federal-installation drug-testing constituency.

The combined coalition has produced three consecutive recreational defeats (2018, 2022, 2024) and remains structurally intact going into the 2026 election cycle.