BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A bill looking to add minimum fines for marijuana possession in Idaho is now waiting for Gov. Brad Little’s signature.
The Idaho House and Senate have both passed House Bill 7. It would place a minimum fine of $300 for anyone caught carrying up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Right now, Idaho has no set fine for cases about possession of marijuana.
House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel said it is up to judges to hand down penalties.
“But under the current law, at least there’s a little bit of discretion that judges have to be able to look at an offender and say, ‘Oh, you know, you’re a bad guy, you’re a dealer, you’re a whatever,’ versus look at someone else and say, ‘You know what, you’re a veteran suffering from cancer, and this is something you need for your pain,’” Rubel said.
One of the cosponsors of the bill, Republican Rep. Bruce Skaug, argued that a lack of a minimum fine can lead to an increase in the use of marijuana.
“The actual effect of having marijuana legal and available 24/7, or de facto legalization because you don’t enforce it, because the fines are too low, is to have more impaired drivers on the road and at places of work,” Skaug said.
As of now, Idaho is one of only a few states that has not legalized medical marijuana.
“We’re holding the strongest, along with three other states with pretty strict prohibitions on all marijuana,” Skaug said.
Rubel said that with marijuana illegal in Idaho, many people turn to opioids for pain relief and treating PTSD.
“If you don’t allow people to use medical marijuana,” Rubel said. “You’re forcing them into using opioids, which is far more dangerous and far more addictive.”
The state senate approved House Bill 7 earlier this week, but Gov. Little has not yet currently signed it into law.
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A bill looking to add minimum fines for marijuana possession in Idaho is now waiting for Gov. Brad Little’s signature. Read More
