Idaho Governor to Sign Bill Imposing Mandatory Minimum Fine for Marijuana Possession
The Marijuana Herald
Thu, Feb 20
Key Points
- House Bill 7, which passed the state Senate and House with strong support, will be signed into law by the governor.
- Possessing less than three ounces of marijuana in Idaho is currently a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000.
- Once signed, the new law will establish a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for possession of marijuana.
- Law enforcement and judges will no longer have the discretion to issue penalties below this mandatory minimum, though harsher fines will still be allowed.
The proposal, House Bill 7, passed the state Senate on Tuesday with a 27 to 8 vote, having already been approved by the House 54 to 14. With its passage through both chambers, a spokesperson for the governor confirmed he will sign it into law. Even if Little decided to veto the measure, it has more than the two-thirds support required for lawmakers to override it.
Currently, possessing less than three ounces of marijuana in Idaho is a misdemeanor with fines of up to $1,000, but no set minimum. Once signed, House Bill 7 will establish a mandatory minimum fine of $300. Under the new law, law enforcement and judges will no longer have the discretion to issue penalties below this amount, though harsher fines will still be allowed.
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