One bill aims to alleviate physician concerns about recommending a federally illegal drug by only requiring that they certify a patient has a medical condition that qualifies for the program, rather than stating that they're likely to benefit from marijuana's use.

Another bill adds a dozen medical conditions that could be legally treated with medical marijuana, including autism spectrum disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety disorder, migraines and Tourette syndrome. The Republican governor also approved legislation allowing cancer patients to purchase and possess more dried cannabis plants.

Those three bills take effect immediately because they included emergency clauses.

Voters approved a ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana in 2016, but the Legislature later rewrote what they called an unworkable law. The state's first dispensary opened in Fargo last month.