Cannabis Laws in Idaho

Idaho is considered one of the last places in America to embrace Mary Jane. The state doesn’t even allow CBD oil, let alone medicinal weed. In fact, this northwestern state outlawed pot in 1927, a decade before the Marihuana Tax Act.

The following passages will elaborate on the marijuana and CBD laws of Idaho.

Marijuana in Idaho

The Idaho Uniform Controlled Substances Act identifies cannabis as a Schedule I hallucinatory substance. Also, possessing up to 3 oz. is a felony penalized by 12-months imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. Moreover, consuming or being under the marijuana influence in public places can also land you in prison for up to 6 months apart from a $1,000 fine.

As per ACLU, African-American Idahoans are 2.5 times more at risk for a marijuana possession arrest than their white neighbors. An independent effort by Rep. Eric Redman and John Gannon to minimize these punitive measures was introduced in 2018, but unfortunately never saw the light of the day.

Idaho’s laws are so stringent that merely possessing weed-related paraphernalia can result in the penalties mentioned above. Furthermore, an attempt to distribute or manufacture apparatus can put you away for 9 years apart from a $30,000 fine.

 

Medical Marijuana

Idaho firmly lags behind other 49 U.S. states on the medical marijuana front. In fact, it is one of a handful of states where adult-use, as well as the medical pot, is outright banned. There is no official marijuana dispensary program, and even if you can somehow qualify for medicinal cannabis, there’s no legal way to access it.

However, things are moving for the better in 2019 with the new Gov. Brad Little in the office, who despite adopting a cautious approach to weed is open to legalizing its medicinal usage.

 

CBD Oil Laws in Idaho

In 2015, Butch Otter, the 32nd Governor of Idaho, earned the ire of cannabis activists by becoming the only American Governor to veto CBD-only legislation (S1146). The passing of House Bill 577 in 2018 by the House Health and Welfare Committee was viewed as a significant stride until Mr. Butch Otter expressively rejected the bill.

However, the federal approval of the Farm Bill 2018 is expected to change the status quo at a brisk pace in 2019.

Conclusion

You should not be consuming weed in Idaho even if you are qualified to do so in another state. It’s because consuming or being under the weed influence in public places can also land you in prison. It is one of a few states where adult-use, as well as medical pot, are completely banned.

There is no official marijuana dispensary program, and even if you can qualify for medicinal marijuana, there’s no legal way to obtain it. However, the status quo is changing for the better in 2019 with the 33rd Governor of Idaho in the office, who despite adopting a watchful approach to cannabis is open to legalizing its medicinal usage.