Idaho Voters Reject Constitutional Amendment Reserving Drug Reform Power For Lawmakers

Idaho Voters Reject HJR 4

Idaho voters on Tuesday rejected House Joint Resolution 4, a proposal by state lawmakers to amend the Idaho Constitution. The resolution would have declared that only the Legislature has the power to enact drug reforms in the state.

If voters had approved the measure, they would have voluntarily given up their own ability to organize a ballot initiative to legalize or regulate a controlled substance like cannabis. The rejection means Idaho citizens retain the power to pursue drug policy reforms through the initiative process.

It was placed before voters as a proposed constitutional amendment.

Reactions From Reform Advocates

“Idaho voters have scored a major victory for citizen-led advocacy and common sense by soundly rejecting HJR 4,” said Adam J. Smith, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), in a statement.

“HJR 4 was the legislature’s effort to silence their constituents on this or any other common-sense drug policy reform once and for all,” Smith said in the statement.

“We applaud Idaho’s voters for sending this powerful message to their elected representatives, and we hope this leads to an even stronger effort in the coming cycle to allow voters to override their legislature’s obstinacy,” Smith added in the statement.

Cannabis Remains Prohibited In Idaho

Advocates had tried to put a medical cannabis legalization question on the Idaho ballot this year. However, state officials said the campaign fell short of the threshold needed to qualify for the ballot.

Cannabis remains strictly prohibited in Idaho. The state grants no exceptions for cannabis use, even for medical purposes.

Reform advocates have indicated they intend to pursue further efforts in the coming cycle.

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