Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. North Dakota law
Cannabis laws in Fargo follow North Dakota’s state law. City pages reflect the same jurisdiction-wide cannabis framework; local ordinances typically do not override it.
Recreational cannabis is illegal, but possession of small amounts (up to 14 grams) is decriminalized as a non-criminal infraction. Medical cannabis is available for qualifying patients. Possession outside these parameters carries legal risk.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal (small amounts decriminalized)
- Medical: Legal
- Possession: Small amounts decriminalized; legal for medical patients
- Buying/Selling: Legal for medical patients only
- Tourists: Subject to the same laws as residents
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative History
North Dakota voters legalized medical cannabis in 2016 via Measure 5, establishing a patient registry and dispensary system for qualifying conditions. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, though possession of small amounts (up to 0.5 ounces) was reduced to a non-criminal infraction in 2019, typically resulting in fines rather than jail time.
Law Enforcement
Fargo police had a strict reputation, although meth drew much of their attention. Older accounts quoted a US$300 fine and possible 30 days for less than an ounce, with jail said to be uncommon on a first offense. One local put the odds of prosecution at a very unofficial 80 percent. Some stops ended with officers grinding the weed into the pavement. North Dakota’s rules for small amounts have since changed, as covered in Marijuana Laws.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Most connections were private. The long garages at Seventh Street and 12th Avenue and the hacky-sack crowd outside North High were mentioned. At Lindenwood Park, 1905 Roger Maris Drive South, people gathered around the fourth lot when it wasn’t flooded after the thaw. Downtown Broadway skaters, Island Park and the skatepark next to it were more common summer leads.
For the over-21 crowd there was the Empire Bar, especially on weekends, and Dempsey’s on Broadway. Across the river in Moorhead, Discontent and Mellow Mood on Main Avenue were the head shops people mentioned. During term, Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University students, including campus NORML groups, were other connections. Short bags and dry summers were recurring complaints.
Marijuana Prices
- Seedless hydro: US$50 for an eighth, US$100 for a quarter, US$250–350 for an ounce and US$1,000 for a quarter pound
- Schwag: US$15–20 for an eighth, US$30–40 for a quarter, US$60–100 for an ounce and US$200–350 for a quarter pound
- A separate schwag quote listed US$10 for a dime, US$20–25 for a dub, US$70 for a half ounce and about US$100–110 for an ounce
- Nugs: US$15–20 per gram, US$25 for a dime, US$50 for a dub or an eighth, US$90–100 for a quarter, US$155–175 for a half ounce and US$300–325 for an ounce across the quotes
Types of Marijuana
Strawberry Kush, Orange Crush, Orange Kush, Purple Haze, Apple Skunk, White Rhino, White Widow and Hogsbreath came up. The quality could change quickly. Hydro was thought to come from Minneapolis or local growers, with other flower from Canada.
More Information
Summers could be dry enough that only schwag was around. As the saying went, once the snow hit the ground, things went down. Better flower showed up around Christmas with the returning college crowd. Looking, smelling and weighing helped when a bag called nugs turned out to be a grade in between.