North Dakota is a limited license state and has licensing caps within its medical cannabis framework. The department shall register no more than two compassion centers with the sole purpose of operating as a manufacturing facility and eight compassion centers with the sole purpose of operating as a dispensary.

North Dakota distributes medical cannabis licenses through a merit system.

North Dakota’s medical framework disqualifies applicants for cannabis licensure on the basis of certain convictions. Any individual convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor offense within the five-year period before the date of application, or any felony offense, is prohibited from being a compassion center agent. There is no carve-out protecting individuals with qualified cannabis offenses.

The  North Dakota medical use sector has restrictions disqualifying potential employees with certain convictions. Any individual convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor offense within the five-year period before the date of application or any felony offense is prohibited from being a compassion center agent. There is no carve-out protecting individuals with qualified cannabis offenses.

North Dakota offers record cleaning remedies for certain cannabis convictions, however, this process is not automatic and requires action from the individual. Cannabis convictions for possession of 1 ounce or less may be sealed if the conviction is a first-time offense and the defendant doesn’t have another conviction within two years.