Grand Forks, ND Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Section 9-0108 does not single out public places; it bans possessing or willfully ingesting marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol anywhere within the corporate limits of the city, whether that is a park, a sidewalk or a private residence. Subsection (2) makes it unlawful to possess less than half an ounce (14.175 grams) of marijuana, or less than two grams of THC, unless the person holds medical marijuana under N.D.C.C. Chapter 19-24.1 or a valid practitioner's prescription. Subsection (3) covers larger amounts, up to 500 grams of marijuana or six grams of THC, under the same exceptions. Subsection (4) separately bans anyone under 21 from ingesting, inhaling or injecting marijuana or THC into their body at all, and the code makes clear a violation exists whether the ingestion happened within city limits or the substance was simply detected in the person's body while they were in the city.

Section 9-0503(2) sets the penalty for a subsection (2) possession charge at an infraction with a fine capped at $1,000, and requires the court to order an evidence-based alcohol and drug education program for a second or subsequent conviction. Three or more convictions of the same offense within one year escalate the charge to the general criminal penalty in section 9-0501: up to $1,500 in fines or 30 days in jail. The Grand Forks Police Department enforces the statute, and none of its exceptions apply once a person is using marijuana openly in a street, park or other public place in the city.