Idaho activists have been pushing for marijuana legalization in 2022. They were unable to earn a spot on the 2020 ballot because of the pandemic, and this year was supposed to correct that delay. Unfortunately, Idaho lawmakers seem determined to make it nearly impossible to secure a spot for the initiative on the general election ballot. So instead of working on getting both recreational and medical marijuana legalized in 2022, activists are focusing in on medical marijuana.
Uphill Battle
The organization leading the legalization charge, Kind Idaho, originally advocated for both medical and recreational marijuana legalization in Idaho. In February, the organization received permission to begin collecting signatures. Thus began the process of putting legalization efforts on the 2022 ballot.
After much consideration, and with lawmakers pushing for a psychoactive substance ban, Kind Idaho and other activists decided to focus on one effort. They are focusing on putting medical marijuana on the 2022 ballot over an effort for both medical and recreational marijuana. This would have been something similar to what South Dakota did in 2020. However, there is significant pushback there from lawmakers and Governor Kristi Noem (R) herself.
Medical Marijuana Initiative
Kind Idaho needs 65,000 signatures by April 30, 2022 to put their measure on the ballot. Unfortunately, officials will revoke 10-20 percent of all signatures for various reasons. If that 10-20 percent causes the total signature count less than 65,000, then the initiative does not make it to the ballot. To counteract this potential, Kind Idaho and volunteers are seeking 75,000 to 80,000 signatures. This factors in that 10-20 percent revoke potential.
Under the new initiative, citizens over 21 with qualifying medical conditions and a doctor’s note/prescription can apply for a medical cannabis card through the state. Additionally, the medical cannabis program would be created by the Department of Health and Welfare. Citizens with a legal card could carry up to four ounces of marijuana at one time.
Currently, Idaho sits between states that have already legalized medical and recreational marijuana in various forms. The only state that hasn’t legalized marijuana is Wyoming. But even they are currently pushing a legalization bill through the Senate to create a marijuana program in the state.
Future
Idaho is the only state in the region that has not attempted to legalize marijuana. The state also continues to protest legal hemp, which became federally legal in 2018 thanks to the Farm Bill. In fact, Idaho lawmakers are pushing for an amendment to the state’s constitution to ban all psychoactive substances, including any form of marijuana. If the amendment passes both the House and Senate, it will be placed on the 2022 general election ballot along with Kind Idaho’s legalization measure.
Kind Idaho is hoping to have their legalization effort on the same ballot as the amendment. This way, citizens can read up on each and make an informed decision. Right now the organization has a limited window to spread the word and help make medical marijuana legal in the state. As one activist put it, “We’re gonna do what we have to do to get this to pass. It’s just — it’s time. It’s time to bring Idaho into the present.”
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