by Amy Wilding-Fox
We live in a country where cannabis laws continue to rapidly change from state-to-state. It is estimated that nearly 75% of the American population live in a jurisdiction that has legalized or decriminalized cannabis in some way. Last count there are 38 states, plus Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, that have legalized cannabis at least medicinally while nine have went as far as legalizing cannabis for cultivation, possession and use as recreational.
Meanwhile, there is still one state standing firm against any leniency on cannabis. That is none other than the spud state itself, Idaho. With even the reddest states like Tennessee trying to pass decriminalization bills at the least, the very red Idaho remains steadfast that cannabis remain illegal and difficult to possess for, well, forever. First, in 2015 when the use of medicinal CBD was adopted, the then Governor vetoed the bill, only to allow the FDA approved Edioplex that comes with a hefty price tag of nearly $1000.00 for a mere 600 milligrams. Therefore, the average patients that could benefit from CBD immensely, like cancer patients for instance, couldn’t afford it even if a doctor recommended CBD as part of their patient plan. In 2021, Idaho went as far as proposing “Senate Joint Resolution 101” that would prohibit any future possible sales, manufacturing, delivery, possessing of certain “psychoactive drugs”, namely marijuana, to protect the “virtue and sobriety of the state”. Though not ultimately adopted, the current governor, Brad Little, has stated numerous times and continues to maintain that he would never sign off on marijuana legalization.
Brave Idahoans do attempt to make the trip to one of the bordering cannabis friendly states like Washington, Nevada, and Oregon to purchase their medicine. Then, they must risk driving back home and across heavily policed borders looking to fine and incarcerate its citizens for a 5-year sentence. Some have been noted as saying it is like driving into another country because they are so behind in the War on Drugs. Businesses that sell smoking accessories must still advertise for tobacco use only and patrons can be asked to leave if the business suspects the use will be for cannabis. In other words, no asking for a bong or blunt wraps, people.
So, is there any hope for Idahoans to ever be free of the chains built on decades of lies and false propaganda of a failed war on drugs? There are some organizations and advocates tirelessly working to do so. This year two such advocate groups have failed the get the signatures needed to get cannabis legalization on the ballot, one reportedly getting only 10% of the 70,000 signatures needed. The future of legalized cannabis in Idaho is looking bleak, at least for another two years. But know this. Idaho has much of an enlightened country rooting for them to finally step out of the Dark, Drug War Ice Ages.
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