Idaho could see more than $100 million in medical marijuana sales and up to $28 million in new revenue for state coffers under a legalization measure activists are working to put on the November ballot, according to a new economic analysis released by the campaign.
The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho (NMAI) announced this last week collected enough signatures for an initiative to legalize medical cannabis To pass the statewide threshold for ballot qualification, it commissioned the firm Younger Associates to do two fiscal projections of the proposal, using Utah’s medical marijuana program as a model.
“Based on Utah’s participation trajectory, Idaho supports approximately 63,000 active patients and $108.5 million in annual retail sales by Year 6,” the analysis states.
Under the first revenue scenario, a 6 percent state sales tax would be applied to marijuana sales and there would also be a $100 annual patient registration fee, which would generate about $6.5 million in sales tax revenue and $6.3 million by the program’s sixth year.
The second revenue scenario includes the same patient registration cost and sales tax, but also adds an additional 14 percent fee collected at the point of sale. It would generate about $21.7 million a year in tax and fee revenue, in addition to about $6.3 million in annual patient card fees, to bring in $28 million a year from the state.
“Actual revenue will ultimately depend on the final program design and implementation decisions made by the State.” the report he says
In addition to the economic analysis, the NMAI also released a new short video this month saying the measure proposes “strictly regulated market access” for cannabis and treats patients “with dignity rather than fear or stigma.”
The video also features medical marijuana as an “alternative to the devastating effects of opioids” and the initiative “supports local jobs, Idaho agriculture and generates tax revenue while maintaining strong enforcement standards to prevent misuse.”
“This is not about recreation, it’s about care,” he said he says. “The law provides medical freedom to patients to consult with their physician about their health conditions and assert their right to make choices about their own care.”
But since it’s unclear how many signatures the campaign has collected so far and whether activists have met another requirement for petitions to be distributed regionally, NMAI continues to hold signature-gathering events across the state to expand its coalition of supporters ahead of the May 1 submission deadline.
Amanda Watson, communications manager for NMAI, told Marijuana Moment on Wednesday that organizers “feel very confident that we will qualify for the ballot in November.”
As of this week, NMAI has collected more than 73,000 total signatures — surpassing the statewide requirement of 70,725 for valid petitions — according to the campaign’s website.
To be certified on the ballot, the group must also submit the signatures of at least 6 percent of registered voters in at least 18 of the state’s 35 legislatures. Marihuana Moment reached out to NMAI for a status update on progress toward that goal, but a representative was not immediately available.
Meanwhile, groups of paid and volunteer applicants they are expanding across the state to high-traffic areas to collect signatures, and the NMAI website has a map showing where registered voters can go to sign.
The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act, introduced by NMAI last October, would provide patients with access to marijuana from a limited number of dispensaries and provide a regulatory framework for the market.
Here are the main provisions Idaho Medical Cannabis Law:
- Healthcare practitioners may recommend medical cannabis to patients with conditions including cancer, anxiety and acute pain.
- Medical marijuana patients or designated caregivers can purchase up to 113 grams of cannabis for smoking or 20 grams of THC extract for vaporization per month.
- The state would issue three vertically-integrated cannabis business licenses, and then potentially six licenses in total.
- Marijuana would be reclassified under state law, Title II.
- State and local law enforcement would be prohibited from assisting in drug enforcement activities related to the state’s illegal cannabis program.
- There would be anti-discrimination protections for those who use or sell marijuana in compliance with state laws, preventing adverse actions by employers, landlords and educational institutions.
- There does not seem to be any equity-based reform, nor will the initiative be given the opportunity to grow at home.
“We believe Idahoans deserve access to legal, compassionate and natural care right at home,” NMAI’s website states. “Our mission is to provide patients with a legal path to natural medicine to relieve suffering and restore dignity without the fear of addiction.”
“The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act is our first step. It creates a safe and strictly regulated medical program that allows qualified Idahoans to seek medical treatment for cannabis with a valid diagnosis from a health care provider.” he says. “It supports Idaho agriculture, generates tax revenue to reinvest locally and ensures patients can find natural relief.”
Last month, the campaign also released the results of a statewide poll shows that 83 percent of likely voters support the legalization of medical cannabisincluding 74% of Republicans, 95% of Democrats and 92% of independents.
When asked how they would vote if the current legalization of cannabis appears on the November ballot, 76% of respondents said “yes”. Of that cohort, 50 percent said they would “definitely” vote yes, while only 21 percent said they would vote “no.”
After introducing the medical cannabis initiative last year, a separate 2024 campaign, Kind Idaho, told supporters it would cancel its signature drive. ballot initiative to legalize the personal possession and cultivation of marijuana the adults
Pleasant Idaho previously put medical marijuana ballot measures before voters Both in the 2022 and 2024 elections, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, this year voters will see a different type of proposal on the ballot: the constitutional amendment approved by the legislature to make it so. only members of the legislature can legalize marijuana or other controlled substances.
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Lawmakers held a separate hearing last March to discuss it bill to legalize medical cannabisbut in the following months there has been no significant action on the matter.
Separately, it would be a bill from last year by Rep. Bruce Skaug (R). set a mandatory minimum fine of $420 for possession of cannabisremoving judges’ discretion to apply lower sentences. Skaug said the bill, which ultimately stalled in committee, would send a message that Idaho is tough on marijuana.
Members of the House of Representatives were also admitted bill to ban marijuana adsalthough the Senate later defeated the measure.
user photo Max Pixel.