BISMARCK - Backers of a successful North Dakota citizen initiative to allow marijuana to be used as medicine are contesting new rules written by the Legislature to oversee its use.
The North Dakota Compassionate Care Act won 65 percent voter approval in November. It allows the use of marijuana as medicine for people who suffer from one of several debilitating illnesses.
A bipartisan bill removed provisions that would have allowed growing marijuana as medicine and only allows patients to smoke it if a physician finds that no other form of marijuana would help.
Fargo financial planner Rilie Ray Morgan headed the initiative campaign and believes lawmakers have changed the intent of the measure against voters' will. He says a lawsuit or another citizen initiative is possible if the current bill stands.