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Idaho Medical Marijuana Initiative Exceeds Statewide Signature Count To Make November Ballot, Campaign Reports

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3 months ago

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An An Idaho campaign says it has gathered enough signatures for an initiative to legalize medical cannabis exceeding the statewide threshold for voting qualification.

But because it’s unclear how much they’re worth and whether the petitions have met another requirement for regional distribution, the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho (NMAI) continues to hold signature gathering events across the state to expand its coalition of supporters ahead of the May 1 submission deadline.

As of Friday, 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.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
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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.

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Columbia hemp business Burning Acre to close and move to North Carolina over new Tennessee rules

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9 hours ago

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June 14, 2026

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Burning Acre, a Columbia, Tennessee-based hemp company, says it will close its retail store and move operations to North Carolina ahead of new state regulations that take effect July 1, according to WSMV.

The business says its last day to open in Columbia will be June 30, the same day the Tennessee Department of Agriculture licenses for hemp-derived cannabinoids expire. As of July 1, businesses that continue to operate in the state will be required to be licensed under a new regulatory framework led by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Burning Acre says the changes have forced it to abandon plans for a new sandwich shop and bakery and close its Tennessee retail operations and relocate to Murphy, North Carolina. “I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s a very hard video for me and a message I should never have written,” the business wrote.

The business puts the annual cost of manufacturing, distribution and running the retail store at about $750. Under the new rules, he says, those costs would rise by tens of thousands of dollars, citing new licensing fees, a required $25,000 annual bond and increased testing fees.

The law, which took effect in July, changes the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses from the Department of Agriculture to the ABC. The Department of Agriculture stopped issuing licenses at the end of 2025, and the licenses issued by the TDA will remain valid until June 30, 2026.

“Columbia, we absolutely love being a part of this community,” said Burning Acre. “We are truly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to this location.”

Read more at WSMV4










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North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill To Set A Minimum Age Limit For Hemp And Kratom Products

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10 hours ago

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June 14, 2026

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“Many other details about cannabis have been debated and will continue to be debated.”

By Christine Zhu, NC Newsline

Lawmakers in North Carolina are considering banning people under 21 from buying or possessing certain hemp-derived consumables, including combustible hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, gummies and drinks, or items that include the drug kratom.

The House Agriculture and Environment Committee approved a rewrite of Senate Bill 59 on Wednesday. This is the latest attempt by state legislators after years of proposals to regulate the sale of hemp products that didn’t work out in the end.

This measure would prohibit companies from selling such products to under-21s. If the seller has “reasonable grounds” to believe that the buyer is under the age of 21, the seller must verify the buyer’s ID.

Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), who introduced the bill, said he was motivated to bring public attention to issues surrounding cannabis. He said there was a 14-year-old boy in his neighborhood who had an emergency after buying a hemp-derived product.

“There are a lot of other details about cannabis that have been debated and will continue to be debated, but ladies and gentlemen, to make sure we have the good sense to be agents of these kinds of issues, that’s the lowest hanging fruit,” he said.

Violators would face a Class 2 felony, as well as a fine of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses.

asked Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford). of the bill language resulted in potential changes to hemp-derived products. It is common for manufacturers of synthetic recreational drugs to make changes to the chemical composition of their products to avoid legal bans or restrictions.

“I assume the definition as written is broad enough to capture any future manipulation of molecules,” he said. Dixon nodded.

Legislators also voted in favor correction To add kratom products to the under-21 ban.

Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell), who proposed the amendment, said it was necessary to add those elements to the bill.

“I’ve been working on this for quite some time, trying to get these bills passed,” McNeely said. “We definitely have a problem. So I’m hoping we can keep posting this and we’ll get something done before we get out of the short session here.”

Both the amendment and the legislation passed unanimously without debate.

The bill moves next to the House Rules Committee. Other amendments will be heard when they appear on the House floor, which could be as soon as next week.

This story was first published by NC Newsline.

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GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 in 2026 photos

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1 day ago

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June 13, 2026

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Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.

The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.

Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.

Click here for the photo report.

© Arlette Sijmonsma | MMJDaily.com










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