Initiated Measure 5 (2024) — The Third Defeat (-5.1 pts)

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects North Dakota cannabis law as of June 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

Year	Measure	Sponsoring Committee	Yes	No	Margin
2018	Measure 3	Legalize ND (David Owen, chair)	40.55%	59.45%	-18.9 pts
2022	Statutory Measure 2	New Approach North Dakota (David Owen)	45.13%	54.87%	-9.7 pts
2024	Initiated Measure 5	New Economic Frontier (Steve Bakken)	47.45%	52.55%	-5.1 pts

North Dakota’s adult-use trajectory shows narrowing margins but stubborn defeat. Each defeat brought a smaller gap (-19 / -10 / -5 pts), but no recreational measure has been certified for the November 2026 ballot. Steve Bakken (former Bismarck Mayor and Burleigh County Commissioner, R) has indicated New Economic Frontier will not run again in 2026; he warned the next push would likely come from out-of-state donors. Measure 2 (2022) drew language from 2021 HB 1420 (passed House 56-38 / defeated in Senate, sponsored by Rep. Jason Dockter R-Bismarck). Brighter Future Alliance (Pat Finken Bismarck advertising executive, formerly Odney CEO) led 2022 + 2024 opposition with NDMA/NDHA/sheriffs/chiefs/petroleum council/Catholic Conference/Family Alliance/Farmers Union coalition.

The Measure’s Provisions

Initiated Measure 5 (2024) was the most carefully drafted of the three recreational measures:

Adults 21+ may possess 1 oz flower.
Adults 21+ may possess 4 g concentrate.
Adults 21+ may possess 1,500 mg THC cannabinoid products.
Adults 21+ may possess 300 mg edibles.
3 plants per individual / 6 plants per household personal-cultivation cap.
Cap of 7 cultivators + 18 retailers — expansion from current 2+8 medical caps.
No operator allowed more than 4 dispensaries — prevent MSO consolidation.

The Sponsoring Committee — New Economic Frontier

Steve Bakken (R, former Bismarck mayor and Burleigh County commissioner) chaired New Economic Frontier. Bakken has stated he has never used cannabis but considers prohibition unworkable. Co-sponsors:

Mark Friese — criminal defense attorney at Vogel Law Firm; former Bismarck police officer. Friese’s law-enforcement-then-defense profile gave the campaign credibility on enforcement-cost framing.
Casey Neumann — Pure Dakota CEO. Neumann represented the medical-cannabis-industry interest in expanded customer base.

The Republican-Establishment Sponsor

The 2024 shift from David Owen (Democratic-aligned 2018 + 2022 sponsor) to Steve Bakken (Republican former mayor + commissioner) was strategic: a Republican sponsor was intended to neutralize the partisan opposition framing. Bakken’s self-description (never used cannabis; prohibition unworkable) aligned with conservative pragmatism rather than progressive advocacy.

Major Financial Backing

GR Holding OH-ND LLC (Curaleaf-affiliated parent of Grassroots Cannabis Fargo manufacturer) donated $40,000.
Pure Dakota contributed financial and operational support.
The medical-cannabis industry actively supported the measure with the prospect of expanded customer base under adult-use rules.

The Brighter Future Alliance Opposition Coalition

Brighter Future Alliance, again chaired by Patrick "Pat" Finken, led opposition with the broadest coalition yet:

North Dakota Medical Association (Dr. Stephanie Dahl, president).
North Dakota Hospital Association (Tim Blasl, president).
North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Association.
Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota.
North Dakota Petroleum Council.
North Dakota Catholic Conference.
North Dakota Family Alliance.
North Dakota Farmers Union.
Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben and Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler among most public law-enforcement opponents.

Turnout for Measure 5 was the highest of any measure on the 2024 ballot. See Brighter Future Alliance page.

The Vote — November 5, 2024

YES: 47.45%
NO: 52.55%
Margin: -5.1 points

The narrowest margin yet — a 13.8-point improvement from 2018 and 2.32-point improvement from 2022.

The 2024 Improvement Pattern

The narrowing-margin pattern (-19, -10, -5 pts) reflects:

Generational voter turnover — younger voters more pro-legalization.
Neighboring-state legalization normalizing adult-use cannabis (Minnesota 2023; Montana 2022; Manitoba 2018).
Cleaner drafting with explicit caps addressing 2018 critiques.
Republican-establishment sponsor (Bakken) neutralizing partisan-opposition framing.
Medical-industry political-finance maturity (GR Holding $40K + Pure Dakota).

What Bakken Said After the Defeat

Bakken indicated New Economic Frontier will not run again in 2026. He warned in November 2024 that the next legalization push would likely come from out-of-state donors and be "less conservative" — without the Republican-establishment branding that Bakken brought to the 2024 campaign. The signature deadline for a November 2026 statutory initiative is July 6, 2026; as of mid-March 2026, no measure has been certified. See no-2026-ballot page.

The Path to Possible Victory in 2028

The narrowing-margin pattern suggests a possible 2028 victory if:

The next 2-4 years continue generational voter turnover.
Neighboring-state legalization continues normalizing adult-use.
Federal Schedule III rescheduling further normalizes cannabis politically.
A 2028 campaign maintains tight drafting + Republican-friendly framing.
Brighter Future Alliance opposition coalition fragments or weakens.

Steve Bakken’s caution that out-of-state donors will produce a "less conservative" measure suggests the cleanest 2028 path requires in-state Republican-establishment leadership comparable to 2024 New Economic Frontier.