Did you know that, in North Dakota, people don't actually receive prescriptions for medical marijuana? If you didn't, you are not alone. We'll find the answers to a lot of questions surrounding medical marijuana in North Dakota.

On this episode, we visit with Jason Wahl, the Director for Medical Marijuana in North Dakota. It's an interesting conversation around a subject that many people have strong feelings about.

The episode covers a governor's mistake that almost cost the state $35 million, fights within political parties that left voters without representation, and why lawmakers want to build a new office building after 100 years. These stories teach us that democracy needs constant care and attention from regular citizens to keep working properly.

The non-partisan 701 Civics podcast will provide listeners with an introduction to state government in North Dakota. From the Secretary of State to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, learn more about the offices and officials that lead North Dakota.

In this episode, we sit down with Arik Spencer, the CEO and President from the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), the state's premier non-partisan business advocacy organization. Joining us is Mallory Humann, the Program & Event Coordinator for GNDC to discuss the Civics Bee in North Dakota and why the GNDC is helping to sponsor the Bee.

The GNDC represents a diverse membership that includes small businesses, large corporations, sole proprietors, and trade associations, serving as a unifying voice for economic prosperity across North Dakota.

Listeners will learn how GNDC champions free-market principles, drives innovation through the North Dakota Manufacturing Council, and collaborates across sectors to ensure the state’s business climate remains the best in the nation. We’ll explore their mission, values, and vision for the future—highlighting their integrity, dedication, and commitment to shaping a thriving economy for all North Dakotans.

Whether you're a business owner, policymaker, or someone invested in the future of the state, this episode offers insight into how GNDC is catalyzing growth, fostering collaboration, and advocating for a stronger, more prosperous North Dakota.

Did you know that the smallest office in state government also gets to handle all warrants or checks drawn against the state of North Dakota? Though the smallest office, it plays a significant role in state government, even if it doesn't really make any headlines.

We are joined on this episode by North Dakota State Treasurer Thomas Beadle as he explains the role of the treasurers office, and his role as a leader of the treasurer's office.

N.D. Treasurer's Office Website: https://www.treasurer.nd.gov/

In this episode, we cover the final step in the process of following a bill to declare October 1st as 'North Dakota Constitution Day'.

In the first two installments, we followed the process of getting an idea turned into a bill, a committee meeting, and passage in the House of Representatives. Now, we see what takes place in the Senate, and discuss the outcome of the Senate vote.

In this podcast, the current North Dakota State Auditor, Josh Gallion, took time to sit down and discuss the state auditor's office and its role in state government, as well as what it can - and cannot - do.

Listeners will learn about the size of the office, recent efforts to make reports more accessible to citizens of the state, types of audits, how long audits can take, and helping to provide transparency for citizens.

Freshman legislator Sen. Sean Cleary sits down to discuss the role of a state senator in North Dakota. Senator Cleary represents District 35 in the North Dakota Senate, and is half-way through his first term.

On this episode, we discuss how bills are drafted and make their way through the legislative process. We also visit about keeping in touch with constituents, the role of lobbyists, and committee assignments.

On this podcast, I interview Mirabela Punga, a native of Moldova, and now, with her husband and children, a resident of Bismarck, North Dakota for over a decade.

With all of the talk surrounding immigration, particularly in the past decade, I thought it would be good to hear from someone who immigrated to the United States and went through the process of becoming an American citizen.

We get to hear of the challenges faced after arriving in Lakota, North Dakota speaking limited English, with little more than three suitcases, and a determination to succeed. Mirabela and her husband have succeeded, and are now small business owners in Bismarck, operating the Little Odessa Eastern European Market.

Little Odessa Eastern European Market Website:
https://www.little-odessa.com/

Little Odessa Eastern European Market:
https://www.instagram.com/littleodessand/

On this episode, I chat with Representative Corey Mock, a Democrat who served in the house of representatives from 2009 and, as of this interview, is wrapping up his time in the House, having decided to not run for re-election in 2024.  In fact, Mr. Mock will be taking up the position of Chief information officer in the administration of the new governor of North Dakota, Republican Kelly Armstrong.

This episode dives into the role of a minority party, in this case Democrats, in a state like North Dakota, in which the party in power, the Republicans, has a super-majority. We look at the ability of minor parties to impact legislation and how they work to get their issues heard.

Towards the end of the podcast, Representative Mock and I discuss the potential impact of the term limits initiative that was passed by North Dakota voters in 2022. Does he believe it will lead to more Democrats in the North Dakota legislature?