Medical marijuana petition filed for 2020 Idaho ballot

BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — Petitioners filed an initiative on Tuesday to place medical marijuana on the 2020 Idaho ballot. The Idaho Cannabis Coalition filed the first set of signatures necessary to begin the initiative process with the Idaho Secretary of State.

The initiative provides safe access to whole plant cannabis and other medical cannabis products through a system of secure dispensaries tightly regulated by the state.

After the Secretary of State's review, organizers will canvass all areas of the state to collect the necessary 55,057 signatures of registered Idaho voters. If completed Idaho would see medical marijuana on the 2020 ballot.

By law, the petition must collect signatures equal to six percent (6%) of the votes in the last gubernatorial election from 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts, ensuring that the petition garners statewide support.

“Nobody should be condemned to suffer just because they live in the wrong state,” said Bill Esbensen with the Idaho Cannabis Coalition. “Our initiative brings Idaho up to speed with states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and West Virginia by protecting people who are just trying to treat their medical condition with a non-toxic plant.”

Patients with chronic illness or severe disability must meet an exacting qualification process mandated by law. Patients with demonstrated physical or financial hardship may qualify to produce a small cannabis garden of their own. Patients will be protected from discrimination for legal medical cannabis use.

If you'd like to sign the petition the coalition said will start gathering signatures in about a month. You can also visit their facebook page.

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