Idahoans to Vote on Constitutional Amendment to Ban Marijuana Legalization
The Idaho State Senate has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit the legalization of marijuana and other psychoactive substances through a ballot initiative. The measure, which was approved along party lines, would give the state legislature the sole authority to regulate and legalize drugs.
Sen. Scott Grow, the Republican sponsor of the amendment, argued that the state’s elected representatives are better equipped to make decisions about drug policy than the people themselves. “We are the elected representatives of the people,” he said. “This is a democratic republic, not a pure democracy.”
Sen. Codi Galloway, also a Republican, shared her concerns about the impact of marijuana legalization on her business in Nevada, where recreational use was legalized in 2016. She claimed that her employees were more frequently hospitalized due to drug-related issues after the legalization of marijuana.
The debate surrounding the amendment was contentious, with some lawmakers arguing that other states that have legalized marijuana are experiencing significant societal and criminal problems. Assistant Senate Democratic Leader James Ruchti questioned the need for a constitutional amendment, suggesting that a simple ban on marijuana would be more effective.
The proposed amendment will appear on the 2026 ballot, where it will require a simple majority to be enacted. The move comes as organizers are circulating a petition to decriminalize marijuana, which would allow individuals 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot without facing criminal charges.
