Four of Idaho’s neighbors have legalized medical marijuana. One of those, Washington State, has legalized it for recreational purposes. Now one Idaho lawmaker wants to make sure that never happens here.
Boise Republican senator Chuck Winder has two resolutions up for public comment Wednesday morning starting at 8:00. One says the Idaho legislature is opposed to efforts to legalize marijuana for any purpose. The other calls upon the federal government to uphold its drug laws in all states. Marijuana remains a controlled substance under federal law even in states that have legalized its use.
The resolutions are statements of ideology not binding legislation. The Senate State Affairs Committee will vote on them this morning after public testimony. Lawmakers expect so much interest they’re holding the hearing in the capital auditorium.
Last year, and the year before, another Republican lawmaker brought a bill to the state capital to legalize medical marijuana. That was north Idaho representative Tom Trail who did not run for re-election in 2012. His measures failed to gain support.