In this June 11, 2019 file photo, medical marijuana flowers await customers at the Minerva cannabis dispensary in Santa Fe, N.M.
In this June 11, 2019 file photo, medical marijuana flowers await customers at the Minerva cannabis dispensary in Santa Fe, N.M.
Following the conclusion of the initiative signature gathering period last week, the Natural Medicaid Alliance of Idaho reported Wednesday they had received over 150,000 signatures in support of an initiative to legalize cannabis for medical use.
The milestone arrives after the Boise-based group announced the initiative at the close of October, describing themselves as a coalition that has “witnessed physical and emotional suffering as result of severe illness.”
In providing regulated access to medical cannabis, the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act could be utilized to treat patients suffering from a range of “substantial health conditions,” which include cancer, epilepsy, AIDS, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain, a prior release from the organization said.
If passed into law, the act would allow Idahoans access to cannabis treatment options while maintaining bans on recreational use.
According to language in the act, starting July 1, 2027, qualifying individuals who have a “substantial health condition” would need to obtain a medical cannabis card by providing medical records to a practitioner that is qualified with making such a diagnosis.
Those found to be eligible for a medical cannabis card can submit an application to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for approval — a prescription is not required for access.
The act also directs the creation of a medical cannabis production license, which allows for the growth, transport, manufacturing, distribution and sale of cannabis to medical cannabis cardholders.
With the signatures collected, they will now need to be validated by the counties in each legislative district by June 30. Valid signatures are then submitted to the Idaho Secretary of State’s office, which will determine the qualification status of the legislation for the November ballot.
The initiative needs 70,725 valid signatures — equivalent to 6% of the registered voters in the state with an added stipulation the 6% threshold be met in 18 of 35 legislative districts.
“This milestone belongs to the tens of thousands of Idahoans who signed,” Amanda Watson, communications lead for Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, stated. “Together, we have moved the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act one step closer to the ballot and one step closer to a decision made by the people of Idaho themselves. Now we await the count, and the chance to bring this issue before voters in November.”
In response to the progress of this ballot initiative, the Idaho Legislature adopted a concurrent resolution in April outlining its findings on the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act and urging Idahoans to reject the measure.
That resolution claimed cannabis legalization has led to increased cartel activity, health issues including psychosis, illegal grow sites and would bring with it a financial burden for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and other agencies tasked with administering the statewide medical cannabis program.
According to the ballot proposal, administrative costs for the program will be funded through fees associated with medical cannabis cards.
Royce McCandless is the Statehouse reporter and covers Idaho politics. You can email him at rmccandless@idahopress.com.
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