Idaho lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would impose a minimum $300 fine on adults convicted of possessing three ounces or less of cannabis. The proposal, sponsored by State Rep. Bruce Skaug (R), passed the House and advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Skaug argues that the fine would serve as a deterrent to cannabis use, which remains illegal in Idaho despite legalization in neighboring states such as Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
“A $300 fine is not too much if you can afford to buy this marijuana and concentrate,” Skaug told the Idaho Capital Sun. “Every dollar spent on pot by someone is not spent on food, clothing, school supplies, real medicine, or housing.”
However, the bill has sparked criticism from advocates who argue that it unfairly targets cannabis users while failing to address other crimes. During testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Air Force veteran Jeremy Kitzhaber spoke out against the legislation, saying it would harm veterans who rely on cannabis for medical relief.
“This bill would say that an edible gummy is a minimum fine,” Kitzhaber testified. “Yet drunk driving, exposing yourself in public, or even smacking your spouse would still not impose a minimum fine.”
Idaho remains one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to cannabis laws, with possession of over three ounces considered a felony. Critics argue that instead of reforming outdated policies, this bill doubles down on prohibition by imposing financial penalties on individuals who use cannabis, even in small amounts.
With the bill now heading to the full Senate, its outcome could shape Idaho’s stance on cannabis enforcement for years to come. If passed, it would reinforce the state’s tough cannabis laws and continue to set Idaho apart from its pro-legalization neighbors.
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