I think we need to step up our game to show that we are serious about illegal drugs if we want to continue to take this stance.
By Mia Maldonado, Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho Senate will vote this week on a measure that will implement a fine of $300 for adults who are convicted for possessing less than three ounces marijuana.
After passing last week the Idaho House with a 54-14 majority, the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee took the House Bill 7 one step further to become law. It was a party-line vote, as both Democrats, Senator Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) and Sen. James Ruchti (D-Pocatello), voted against the bill.
Rep. Bruce Skaug of Nampa said that Idaho was one of states with strictest marijuana laws, and the mandatory fines for even small amounts of cannabis would deter its use.
Skaug explained that “a $300 fine would not be too high if one could buy marijuana and concentrate.” Skaug said that every dollar someone spends buying pot is not going to be spent on housing, education, clothing, supplies for schools, real medication or food.
The bill was advanced by the committee with a recommendation to pass it. House Bill 7 could be put to a vote by the Idaho Senate within the next couple of weeks.
Testimony: A deterrent or ‘hurting the wrong people?’
Fourteen people testified before the committee, most of whom supported the bill—including representatives from law enforcement and conservative groups such as the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the Idaho Family Policy Center.
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford shared his support for the law, saying that he believed a $300 minimum penalty will remind those outside Idaho that possession of marijuana in Idaho has more consequences.
Clifford noted that “now we have states around us who have legalized marijuana, in some way or another.” I think that if we want to continue to take the position that we are hard on illegal drug, then we need to step up our game. This is one way of doing that.
Others spoke out against the medical marijuana bill, including advocates. Jeremy Kitzhaber was one of the veterans who spoke out against this bill. He is a disabled vet who served as a first sergeant and civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force. Kitzhaber, who has always opposed the legislation, believes it will harm veterans.
Kitzhaber said to the committee that “this bill” would make an edible gummi bear a fine minimum, but drunken driving, showing off in public, or even hitting your spouse would not be a fine minimum.
Mark McConnell also spoke out against the bill. McConnell works as a critical-care physician with Boise veterans. McConnell stated that at least 30% of his patients who are admitted to hospital use marijuana regularly.
McConnell stated that Idaho physicians cannot prescribe medical cannabis to their patients, and so they are forced to violate the law in order to obtain medical marijuana. This is even though medical marijuana is a better alternative than opioids or Valium.
“I know that politicians want to appear tough against crime. But I think you’ll hurt the wrong people by passing this law.” McConnell claimed that this bill would hurt McConnell’s veterans.
Sen. Dan Foreman of the R-Viola pushed back on medical marijuana arguments.
Foreman added, “I understand people with medical conditions who use marijuana to relieve their symptoms, but I’ve also experienced the negative effects of marijuana as a retired officer.” It’s bad for business. “We need to stop it from entering our beautiful state.”
Idaho Capital Sun was the first to publish this article.
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Side Pocket Images. Photo by Chris Wallis.