Bismarck, N.D. (AP) North Dakotans will have their chance to reverse a half-century-old state law that requires pharmacists to have majority ownership of pharmacies. The state's pharmacy ownership restriction is the only one of its kind in the nation. The law has put local druggists at odds with repeal advocates who want access to prescription drugs offered by large retailers.
Opponents fear overturning the 1963 law will force locally owned pharmacies out of business, especially those in rural areas.
North Dakota's law survived a legal challenge that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. And the legislature has rebuffed several attempts to repeal it.
Backers of the measure this year collected enough signatures to bypass the legislature and for the first time put the issue directly to a statewide vote.