Recreational
Ohio
2.5 oz flower; 15g concentrate
Age 21+View Guide →
North Dakota
Medical OnlyLegal Status
Medical Only
Possession Limit
3 oz per 30-day period
Minimum Age
18+
Dispensaries
Open
Overview
North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in 2016. Registered patients may buy up to three ounces of dried leaves or flowers in a 30-day period, along with other product limits. The program is run by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Adult-use legalization measures failed at the ballot in 2018, 2022, and 2024, so recreational cannabis remains illegal. Possessing small amounts without a card is a misdemeanor.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
What's Legal
Consumption is restricted to private property; both smoking and vaporization are permitted for cardholders.
Possession Limits
3 oz per 30-day period
Home Growing
Not permitted
Penalties
Non-patient possession under ½ oz: Class B misdemeanor, up to 30 days / $1,500.
Driving and Cannabis
Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in North Dakota, as it is in every state, whether or not the cannabis was obtained legally. Officers may rely on field sobriety tests, drug recognition evaluations, and blood tests, and some states set specific THC limits or zero-tolerance rules. Consuming cannabis in a vehicle and carrying open or unsealed packages where the driver can reach them are commonly prohibited. If you have used cannabis, the safest choice is not to drive.
Crossing State Lines and Federal Law
Taking marijuana across state lines is illegal under federal law, even between two states where cannabis is legal, and it may also violate the law of the state you enter. Marijuana is also prohibited on federal land, in national parks, and at airports under TSA jurisdiction. In 2026 the federal government moved FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but adult-use marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, and rescheduling does not legalize interstate transport. Separate federal changes to the legal definition of hemp take effect in late 2026 and will restrict many intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.
North Dakota Cannabis FAQ
Is cannabis legal in North Dakota?
Only for registered medical patients. North Dakota has a medical cannabis program, but adult-use cannabis is not legal. Possession limit: 3 oz per 30-day period.
Can you grow cannabis at home in North Dakota?
Not permitted.
How old do you have to be to buy cannabis in North Dakota?
North Dakota's program lists a minimum age of 18 for patients.
Are dispensaries open in North Dakota?
Yes. Licensed dispensaries are operating in North Dakota for registered patients.
Can you use cannabis in public in North Dakota?
Consumption is restricted to private property; both smoking and vaporization are permitted for cardholders.
Compare North Dakota with every other state in our cannabis laws comparison table.
Official Resource
Cannabis laws change often, and limits, penalties, and program rules can differ from what is summarized here. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before you rely on any detail, check the official state source below or consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.
Visit Official Site →