Idaho lawmakers on Friday introduced a constitutional amendment aimed at preventing the legalization of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs not yet legal in the state.
The Associated Press reported that the proposed resolution was approved in a 6-2 decision by the Senate State Affairs Committee, with members voting according to party lines.
While the constitutional amendment seeks to address a range of psychoactive drugs, the debate over the amendment revolved around marijuana, as neighboring states have already legalized marijuana as part of a growing acceptance of the drug across the country.
Idaho is one of only three states that does not allow even small amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
Recreational and medical marijuana has been legalized in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Nevada, while Utah allows medical marijuana. Wyoming allows CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC.
Idaho allows the sale of CBD products in the deep red state, but they cannot contain any THC.
Defender of the proposed amendment, Republican state senator Scott Grow, has repeatedly argued against legalizing marijuana for recreational and medical use.
“When drugs that are currently illegal are legalized, it increases health costs and crime,” said Grow, according to the AP. “This is about money. It is not about taking care of people who may have pain or illness. “
Opponents of the resolution, however, argue that medical marijuana can be extremely beneficial for those with chronic or terminal illnesses.
State Sen. Michelle Stennett (D) told the AP that passing the proposed amendment “would prohibit Idaho doctors and patients from making medical choices”.
“This is a direct impact on the Idahoans’ ability to provide good health care,” added Stennett.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
Kristi Lynn NoemSD governor to challenge the amendment that legalizes recreational marijuana Eric Trump warns about primary challenges for Republicans who are not opposed to election results Trump again asks Noem for Thune primaries despite his refusal MORE (R) earlier this month issued an executive order allowing a legal challenge to constitutionality of an amendment passed by voters in November to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
Inside a lawsuit filed in late November, officials claimed that the constitutional amendment, Amendment A, violated the rules against amending more than one issue at a time. Amendment A incorporated the legalization of marijuana, regulating its recreational use, taxing it, guaranteeing access to medical marijuana and requiring state legislators to pass laws regulating hemp.