“Tell me what state—anybody who debates against this bill—what state is a better place because of the passage of marijuana legalization?”
Clark Corbin of the Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that will create a $300 minimum mandatory fine for those convicted of marijuana.
Following a lengthy debate at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, House members voted 54-14 to pass House Bill 7.
Rep. Bruce Skaug of Nampa sponsored House Bill 7 Skaug stated that an unnamed court asked him to bring this bill in order to set a minimum mandatory fine for simple possession of marijuana of less than 3 ounces.
Skaug explained that the passage of this bill would be a strong way to combat marijuana when most states in Idaho’s vicinity allow for medicinal or recreational cannabis. Washington, Oregon and Nevada allow the sale and use of recreational cannabis. Utah allows medical cannabis.
Skaug noted that several organizations of law enforcement, including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), as well as several Republican groups support this bill.
Skaug, in a statement on Tuesday, said that “the state GOP is committed to a strong stance against marijuana. We want it kept from normalizing and being used by our citizens.” Not long ago, marijuana was illegal in all 50 of the states.
“Tell me what state—anybody who debates against this bill—what state is a better place because of the passage of marijuana legalization?” Skaug asked. “I submit none.”
The opponents of the marijuana bill ask if it is necessary to remove judges’ discretion when sentencing.
Ilana Rubel, D-Boise House Minority Leader, opposed the passage of the bill in a Tuesday debate. Rubel said it was not necessary to limit the discretion of judges and implement mandatory minimum penalties. Rubel stated that many Idahoans including U.S. Air Force disabled veteran Jeremy Kitzhaber would love to have the ability to use medical cannabis to relieve pain and increase appetite.
Kitzhaber, who has stage four cancer, testified last week before a legislative committee that his doctors told him they wished medical cannabis was a legal treatment option for Kitzhaber, who lost more than 40 pounds while going through chemotherapy treatments.
“[Kitzhaber] Rubel stated Tuesday that Rubel is “in constant agony” and that his only option is to take opioids. This has completely wrecked his body. Rubel said that Rubel had been hospitalized more than once because the effects of opioids on his system. The only drug that he could take to relieve pain was cannabis.
This bill does not concern medical marijuana, it concerns whether or not we will make life harder for people like Sgt. Kitzhaber even harder,” Rubel added.
The bill was defeated by five Republicans and nine Democrats. Kevin Andrus (R-Lava Hot Springs), Robert Beiswenger (R-Horseshoe Bend), David Cannon (R-Blackfoot), Jack Nelson (R-Jerome), and Mark Sauter(R-Sandpoint) joined the nine Democrats to oppose the bill.
Sauter stated that he was against the bill, after consulting a local judge.
This year’s marijuana mandatory minimum fine bill is similar to an unsuccessful bill Skaug pushed last year, House Bill 606, that would have created a mandatory minimum fine of $420 for marijuana possession. House Bill 606 was killed by the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee last year, after several legislators protested about removing judges’ discretion.
House Bill 7 is now headed to the Idaho Senate.
Idaho Capital Sun was the first to publish this article.
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Brian Shamblen provided the photo.