IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho’s November vote on a proposed state constitutional amendment on marijuana was front and center Tuesday at a Greater Idaho Falls Chamber forum.
“This measure’s a landmark moment in Idaho’s history because it would recenter authority in the Legislature exclusively – authority to regulate marijuana and narcotics and psychoactive substances,” said Alturas Institute President David Adler. “It represents an effort to deprive Idaho voters of their right to bring a citizen initiative.”
But supporters argue the amendment is needed to protect Idahoans from addiction and health risks of marijuana.
“Mounting scientific evidence points to severe health risks, including addiction, violent psychosis, and developmental issues in children. Meanwhile, neighboring states that have embraced legalization are now struggling with rising crime, homelessness, and drug-related fatalities,” said the Idaho Senate Republicans Caucus in a statement. “Idaho, however, continues to stand firm against these influences.”
House Joint Resolution Four was passed by the Idaho Legislature in March 2025, placing the amendment on the ballot. It was supported by eastern Idaho legislators Reps. Kevin Andrus, Barbara Ehardt, Marco Erickson, Ben Fuhriman, Wendy Horman, Dustin Manwaring, Stephanie Mickelsen, Britt Raybould, Jon Weber, Joshua Wheeler and Senators Kevin Cook, Mark Harris, Dave Lent, Doug Ricks and Julie VanOrden. It was opposed by eastern Idaho legislator Sen. James Ruchti.
It would give the Idaho Legislature sole “power and authority to legalize the growing, producing, manufacturing, transporting, selling, delivering, dispensing, administering, prescribing, distributing, possessing, or using of marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances” in the state.
The November ballot states that “a YES vote would support this constitutional amendment to:
- “provide that only the Idaho State Legislature shall have the authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances; and
- “remove the ability for citizens to initiate state statutes that would legalize these substances.”
“A NO vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thereby retaining the ability for citizens to initiate state statutes that would legalize or decriminalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances.”
The amendment’s sponsor Senator C. Scott Grow, (R)-Eagle said the proposed amendment pushes back against the deep-pocketed marijuana industry and out-of-state money.
“The reason that people push [legalization] – the marijuana lobby, whomever – is because there’s money to be made, particularly when people become addicted,” Grow said in an interview with Local News 8. “They can make it look chic, make it look wonderful, say it solves all ills. But the end game is money to be made by people that are purveyors of drugs, including marijuana.”
Adler painted the issue in a completely different light.
“If in fact, the real motive behind this measure is to preempt medical marijuana, as well as recreational marijuana, then it has the very unfortunate result of tying the hands of the future – if in fact, scientists and medical researchers determine how valuable [a] medicine medical marijuana may be,” Adler said.
The two sides disagree on whether the power to regulate psychoactive substances, like marijuana, belongs to the Legislature or the people.
Reclaim Idaho Founder Luke Mayville said the amendment’s precedent could be used to restrict other ballot initiatives in the future.
“Most people believe that same basic argument that Teddy Roosevelt made back in 1912, that we need an initiative process to give the people a voice when their legislature is out of touch with them on a specific issue that the public is concerned about,” Mayville said.
Grow argued that the Legislature has a constitutional responsibility to regulate illicit substances in the state.
“Here’s what the [Idaho] Constitution says, Article III, Section 24 declares, ‘The first concern of all good government is the virtue and sobriety of the people and the purity of the home. The Legislature should further all wise and well-directed efforts for the promotion of temperance and morality.’ That’s what we’re doing.”
The amendment requires a simple majority to pass.
Voters will make the ultimate decision at the ballot box on November 3.
