On Wednesday, February 3rd, 2020 the Idaho State Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 101 - a proposed amendment that would place into the state constitution the prohibition of drugs currently listed in Schedule I or II of Idaho statute.

The measure needed 24 votes—a two-thirds majority—of the Senate to pass: https://idahocann.co/idaho-senate-passes-constitutional-amendment-to-forever-ban-medical-marijuana-by-one-vote/

It now heads to the House, where it also needs a two-thirds majority (47 of 70 votes) to pass. If approved by the House, the measure would head to the ballot for a vote of the people, needing a bare majority to pass.

The proposed amendment is a convoluted and unnecessary restriction on Idaho’s ballot initiative process. IT WOULD PERMANENTLY BAN EVEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN IDAHO!

The proposed amendment:

1. Seeks to restrict the ability of Idahoans to use the ballot initiative process to make decisions on medical marijuana and other drug policies;
2. Sets a troubling precedent for future efforts to further restrict the ballot initiative process; and
3. Establishes constitutional restrictions that are tied to current state statutes — a flawed design for any constitutional amendment.
4. Would make it impossible for citizens or the legislature to ever legalize medical marijuana.
5.  Ties Idaho’s drug laws to the federal FDA, which can never regulate a plant.
6. The Idaho Constitution vests in the people the power to make laws. This amendment violates that charter by taking from the people the power to make laws about medical marijuana.

The Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), a conservative policy organization, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho (ACLU), a liberal policy organization, have both come out in opposition to Senate Joint Resolution 101.

The IFF has given SJR 101 a rating of “-5,” the lowest possible rating the IFF can give proposed legislation, and the lowest rating given to any senate legislation this session. See: http://rad-r.us/IFFonSJR101

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has listed its position on SJR 101 as “oppose.” See: http://rad-r.us/ACLUonSJR101 

We all know why legislators are proposing this amendment — they have brought it up numerous times during Senate testimony - they wish to impede a potential 2022 or 2024 medical marijuana ballot initiative in Idaho. 

We also know an overwhelming majority of Idahoans support medical marijuana: 

A 2011 poll conducted by BSU: (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/08/three-quarters-idahoans-back-medical-marijuana/

and a 2019 poll conducted by national marijuana reform groups: (https://idahocann.co/facts/) 

FOUND THAT APPROXIMATELY 73% OF IDAHO VOTERS SUPPORT MEDICAL MARIJUANA!!

If you are one of the more than 1.2 million Idahoans who support reform of Idaho's Marijuana laws, or at the very least believe that the Idaho Constitution should protect our rights, not inhibit them - tell the Idaho House of Representatives to JUST SAY NO TO SJR 101!