Fargo lawmaker heads medical marijuana initiative

BISMARCK, N.D. — A Fargo Democratic lawmaker is chairman of a campaign to make marijuana use legal in North Dakota for medical reasons.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger has about a week to review the initiative petition. After he approves it, medical marijuana supporters may start getting signatures.

Fargo Democratic state Rep. Steve Zaiser is heading the campaign. The initiative says someone with a “debilitating medical condition” may grow and use marijuana, and possess up to 2 ½ ounces of the drug.

It says people with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions may use marijuana legally if they have a doctor's recommendation. People would buy pot at licensed dispensaries.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says Montana and 16 other states allow medical marijuana. South Dakota has rejected the idea twice.

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