Proposed Constitutional Amendment Would Keep Legal Pot Out of Idaho

Idaho’s anti-weed lobby is scared. As more of the state’s neighbors move to legalize marijuana, lawmakers in the conservative state are looking to prevent future legalization measures from succeeding.

A constitutional amendment that would prevent the legalization of cannabis and psychedelics advanced in committee last week and is now headed to the Idaho State Senate for a vote.

Backers said the Idaho Constitution needs to be changed because neighboring states, heavily influenced by out-of-state money, have approved marijuana use through voter initiatives, and it could happen in Idaho.

Those opposed said medical marijuana is needed for Idaho residents suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses. Dan Zuckerman, medical director of St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, said dealing with over a thousand cancer patients over more than a decade convinced him of the efficacy of medical marijuana in helping with pain and nausea. — Associated Press