Idaho activists have begun to draft a proposal to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis use.

2020 Ballot

Idaho activists tried to get a reform bill onto the ballot for the 2020 election year. Covid-19 had other plans. Complications arose getting signatures due to the pandemic’s initial lockdown. That hasn’t stopped activists. In both Montana and South Dakota, reforms were passed to legalize recreational cannabis usage for citizens over 21. South Dakota voters also approved the legalization of medical marijuana usage. Montana approved medical marijuana for citizens back in 2004. South Dakota and Montana are a typically conservative states, like Idaho. If both passed their reform, then Idaho could too, activists say. 

When South Dakota passed both medical and recreational marijuana usage, it seemed unprecedented. Many states that have approved recreational cannabis have previously legalized medical cannabis. However, this seems to be a new reform trend. Nebraska activists said that a reform to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis will be on the 2022 ballot.

Activists in Idaho are pushing for the same in the 2022 election – to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis. They are looking to legalize medical and recreational cannabis for its citizens. 

State-Wide Benefits

The reform is now being spearheaded by Kind Idaho. They took over the reform process from the Idaho Medical Marijuana Act (IMMA). Kind Idaho said they will be ready to start gathering signatures from residents by March 1st 2021, if not sooner. Both Kind Idaho and IMMA are reaching out to its residents that live near the borders of nearby states that have legalized cannabis.

Many Idaho residents live within an hour from the state border. They can easily drive out of state to purchase and consume. The town of Ontario, Oregon is right on the border of Idaho. The town reportedly sold $50 million worth of cannabis in the past 6 months alone. This sale could have netted the state $6 million in sales tax alone, creating positive revenue for the state. This is the platform that activists are striving for in the 2022 election. 

Plans are underway to get collection firms and volunteers started. Volunteers would collect signatures for this new reform for the 2022 election. Make sure to stay up to date on cannabis and hemp laws and news.