Public use would remain off-limits, ensuring that cannabis consumption is kept private and not visible in open areas. The measure specifically avoids creating a commercial cannabis market, unlike the recent ballot efforts in other states that sought to legalize the production and sale of marijuana.
Joe Evans, treasurer for Kind Idaho, highlighted this distinction in a statement back in September when the group first submitted the measure. He noted that the group’s approach is based on the belief that people should be allowed to manage their health and well-being privately, without interference from the state, as long as they’re acting responsibly.
Evans also mentioned that the straightforwardness of the measure might make it more appealing to Idaho voters as it does not include provisions for a state-managed medical cannabis program, which has been part of prior legalization efforts.
Kind Idaho has revised the proposal’s language following feedback from state officials, including the Idaho secretary of state and attorney general. The measure, titled “Decriminalize Marijuana Now,” has now entered the next phase of the state approval process.
The attorney general’s office has 10 days to finalize the ballot title and draft a summary for voters. Once this step is complete, Kind Idaho plans to start gathering signatures to place the measure on the 2026 ballot.
To qualify for the ballot, Kind Idaho needs to collect around 70,000 signatures from registered Idaho voters. This includes gathering support from at least 6% of voters across at least 18 of the state’s thirty-five legislative districts. The group has until April 2026 to submit these petitions for the proposal to be officially added to the ballot.
The decision to push for a more limited legalization measure in Idaho aligns with recent trends in cannabis legislation, particularly following the failure of broader legalization efforts in other states. In the 2024 election, similar ballot measures in North Dakota and Florida were rejected by voters. South Dakota also saw a failed attempt to legalize cannabis possession without authorizing commercial sales.
As the legalization movement spreads to more states across the U.S. and reforms are enacted, numerous business opportunities are likely to be opened up, such as those that take their inspiration from the operations of entities like Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR).
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