BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Voters in North Dakota have trumped state lawmakers by approving medical marijuana.
The measure approved Tuesday will allow qualifying patients to have up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of about a dozen debilitating conditions such as cancer, glaucoma and epilepsy. The state Health Department will issue ID cards for patients and dispensaries will be regulated.
Supporters of Measure 5 said marijuana helps relieve chronic pain and lessens side effects of other treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Opponents of the measure said there were too many unanswered questions about appropriate dosages and that there weren't enough safeguards to make sure medical marijuana is controlled.
The state Legislature rejected a medical marijuana bill last session.