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What’s different about 2022 North Dakota marijuana vote? Money

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What’s different about 2022 North Dakota marijuana vote? Money


The primary group working to legalize leisure marijuana in North Dakota has greater than a half-million {dollars} to press its case, way over the principally shoe-leather effort they relied on 4 years in the past. In the meantime, a significant oil business group that helped fund opposition final time says it should sit on the sidelines this time.

The North Dakota Petroleum Council won’t contribute to combat the pot legalization effort that can seem on the November normal election poll, mentioned Ron Ness, the group’s president.

“It’s a type of issues the place we solely have so many sources,” mentioned Ness, whose group represents a number of hundred firms.

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Ron Ness

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Ness mentioned one in 5 North Dakota jobs are straight or not directly tied to the state’s oil business. Most oilfield jobs require drug testing, and legalizing pot would seemingly shrink the employment pool, he mentioned.

Individuals are additionally studying…

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The power group contributed $30,000 to the failed statewide poll effort in 2018 to legalize leisure marijuana. It was amongst a bunch of attorneys, regulation enforcement and enterprise leaders that pushed opposition.

The Larger North Dakota Chamber, the state’s largest enterprise group, contributed $64,000 to oppose the measure in 2018. CEO and President Arik Spencer mentioned the group hasn’t determined whether or not it should assist fund — and even assist — one other opposition effort. It did so 4 years in the past “largely due to workforce impacts,” he mentioned.







Arik Spencer

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Arik Spencer


Many, together with Spencer, mentioned legalizing leisure marijuana in North Dakota could also be inevitable, as public assist for legalization will increase regardless of marijuana being unlawful on the federal stage.

Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have legalized leisure marijuana. Supporters suppose the state’s 2016 vote permitting medicinal marijuana suggests they’ll win in conservative North Dakota.

Legalization proposals are also on the poll thus far this fall in South Dakota, Missouri and Maryland.

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“It’s type of transferring in within the states round us and Canada, and North Dakota might be not too far down the road,” Spencer mentioned.

North Dakota voters in 2018 soundly rejected a marijuana legalization initiative that additionally included a provision that may wipe out previous pot-related convictions. David Owen, who has led previous pro-legalization efforts and likewise the present one, believes the measure may cross this time.

“We’re a viable marketing campaign that has likelihood of success,” he mentioned.

4 years in the past, North Dakota pot advocates raised little cash for his or her effort and acquired solely token assist from nationwide legalization teams. Now, the North Dakota legalization group has gotten most of its greater than $520,000 from the New Strategy Advocacy Fund and the Marijuana Coverage Venture, each Washington, D.C.-based pro-pot teams.

The New Strategy initiative on the poll in November would permit folks 21 and older to legally use marijuana at house in addition to possess and domesticate restricted quantities of hashish.

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Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, talks with different members of the Home Finance and Taxation Committee in February 2021 on the state Capitol in Bismarck after earlier introducing Home Invoice 1420, which sought to legalize leisure marijuana.


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Mike McCleary



Except for rising pot at house, the measure is “mainly phrase for phrase” that in a invoice accepted by the North Dakota Home final yr however later killed within the Senate, mentioned Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, the laws’s prime sponsor.

Dockter mentioned the poll measure has an opportunity of passing, and even when it doesn’t, comparable laws may very well be launched when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

“If it’s wherever shut it’s going to be a wake-up name and also you’re going to see payments coming,” Dockter mentioned.

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Mark Friese, a distinguished North Dakota protection legal professional and former police officer, opposed the poll measure 4 years in the past because of the provision expunging pot-related convictions — which he mentioned was badly written and might need led to extra critical crimes being wiped away. With that gone, he is now treasurer for the pro-legalization group.

Friese mentioned legalization may damage his livelihood since he typically will get enterprise representing folks charged with marijuana offenses. However he famous that folks charged with low-level pot offenses typically cannot discover jobs or housing due to their felony report.

“We damage society quite a bit with this criminalization,” he mentioned.

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North Dakota

Johnston leads Loyola Marymount against North Dakota after 27-point outing – WTOP News

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Johnston leads Loyola Marymount against North Dakota after 27-point outing – WTOP News


North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2) Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount…

North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount hosts North Dakota after Will Johnston scored 27 points in Loyola Marymount’s 77-71 loss to the Saint Louis Billikens.

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Loyola Marymount finished 12-19 overall with an 8-8 record at home during the 2023-24 season. The Lions averaged 11.9 assists per game on 25.9 made field goals last season.

North Dakota finished 18-14 overall a season ago while going 7-8 on the road. The Fightin’ Hawks averaged 75.3 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range last season.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Copyright
© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Snow gives wildfire responders first chance to catch breath in months

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Snow gives wildfire responders first chance to catch breath in months


BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – First responders finally have a chance to catch a breath after an intense couple of months.

Hunter Noor with the North Dakota Forest Service said the snow is bringing some much-needed moisture to dry areas in the state. He said first responders and volunteers who have been working since October to manage the fires hope the snow continues because it could mean the end of a historic wildfire season.

“I’d like to say we are done, but I’m going to knock on wood when I say it, because you never know what Mother Nature’s going to throw at you. So, December— it could warm back up to 40, 50 degrees, you could have another wind event and see more fires— but looking at the forecast, looking at what they’re predicting, it looks like we’re going to slide into the winter season, hopefully pretty quietly,” Noor said.

He said more precipitation should help keep any potential fires at bay.

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Michigan State, North Dakota to reportedly play in Texas

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Michigan State, North Dakota to reportedly play in Texas


Michigan State hockey has firmly cemented themselves as one of the best programs in college hockey. With being one of the nation’s best, the Spartans are given the opportunity to do some very cool things.

Reported by John Buccigross of ESPN, the Spartans are going to be playing against another one of the nation’s best, North Dakota in Austin, Texas, for the 2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game.

If it truly comes to fruition, this would be a very cool opportunity for Michigan State and their program for some massive exposure to the program.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner

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