ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act authorizes the use of medical cannabis for individuals diagnosed with substantial health conditions such as cancer, ALS, epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s, and others. The Act establishes a Medical Cannabis Card for qualifying patients and a Medical Cannabis Production License that allows licensed producers to grow, process, distribute, and sell cannabis in a vertically integrated system for easier regulation.

Initially, three production licenses would be issued statewide, with the potential to expand to six as Idaho’s population grows. Licensed operators may maintain up to two facilities, six retail locations, and offer online ordering for pickup and delivery, all under strict labeling, inventory, and inspection standards. Operators must have a pharmacist engaged for oversight. 

Cannabis use would be prohibited in public, and cardholders would be prohibited from sharing their supply or operating vehicles while under the influence. Physicians recommending cannabis would be protected from liability, and cardholders would be protected from employment, housing, or custody discrimination. The Act would also reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug, aligning its treatment with other prescribed medications such as opiates.

Read the Full Measure Language

The Details

    • The intent of the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act (“Act”) is to authorize the use of medical cannabis for persons diagnosed with a substantial health condition. 

    • Essentially, the Act creates a Medical Cannabis Card for individuals that suffer from a substantial health condition, and a Medical Cannabis Production License to grow, handle, process, distribute and sell medical cannabis to cardholders. 

    • To apply for a medical cannabis card, an individual must present a medical record showing a substantial health condition diagnosis.  A substantial health condition includes, but is not limited to, cancer, aids, terminal illness, PTSD, severe anxiety, Alzheimer’s, ALS, chronic pain, epilepsy, MS, etc.   A health care provider can assist in handling medical cannabis on behalf of a cardholder. 

    • The Medical Cannabis Production License would allow a licensee to create a vertically integrated process to deliver medical cannabis to those holding a medical cannabis card.  The licensee would be allowed to grow, produce, distribute and sell in order to streamline the process for patients and for regulation purposes.

    • Three initial licenses would be issued for the entire state.  Additional licenses could be issued with a population increase of 650,000, up to 6 total licenses for the state. 

    • The application process requires an Idaho hemp license in good standing, an operating plan and background checks.  A pharmacist must be engaged to provide oversight for dispensing, storing, distributing and selling of medical cannabis.  Cannabis would be treated, stored and kept similar to prescription opiates. 

    • The operating plan for each license allows for no more than 2 facility locations, fulfillment centers, warehousing, distribution centers and up to 6 retail facilities.  It also allows for online ordering, delivery and pickup at fulfillment centers. 

    • There are also labeling requirements, inspections, inventory control measures and other protections.  

    • Use of medical cannabis is prohibited in public areas.   Cardholders are prohibited from sharing medical cannabis with non-cardholders.  It is illegal to operate a vehicle, aircraft, train, heavy equipment or vessel.  Any violations of the chapter would be considered a misdemeanor.         

    • There is immunity for physicians that would recommend medical cannabis.  An employer may not discriminate against a cardholder and should be treated like any other employee that is on prescribed medication.   A cardholder cannot be discriminated against in child custody proceedings or in the leasing of a residence. 

    • Finally, the Act reclassifies cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug to Schedule II – similar to opiates. 

    • Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    • Anxiety

    • Cachexia

    • Cancer

    • Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Ulcerative Colitis

    • Epilepsy, debilitating seizures or Tourette Syndrome

    • Glaucoma or macular degeneration

    • Insomnia

    • Multiple Sclerosis or debilitating muscle spasms

    • Nausea that is not significantly responsive to traditional treatment except when related to hyperemesis syndrome

    • Acute pain that lasts longer than two weeks for an acute condition such as a surgical procedure

    • Chronic and persistent pain lasting longer than two weeks that is not adequately managed by conventional medications (besides opiates or opioids) or physical intervention.

    • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • A terminal illness where the patient’s condition is not expected to improve

    • An individual receiving hospice care, palliative care and comfort care

    • A rare condition or disease that

      • Affects fewer than two hundred thousand individuals in the United States, as defined by Section 526 of the federal food, drug and cosmetic act and;

      • Is not adequately managed despite treatment attempts using conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical intervention.

    • Any other condition designated by the Board through rulemaking

The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho is comprised of volunteers, advocates and organizations who have been personally touched by severe, chronic illness and are seeking relief for themselves or members of their family.

This initiative isn’t abstract to us. It’s personal. We know what it’s like to sit in hospital rooms, to watch families struggle, and to feel powerless against suffering. That experience is what drives us to fight for a compassionate, regulated option for Idaho patients.

We believe no Idahoan should be forced to leave the state, break the law, or depend on big pharmaceutical opioid prescriptions to find relief. We believe in dignity, in conservative guardrails, and in offering a therapeutic solution that works for Idahoans. 

Anyone can join the effort. We will provide updates, keep you apprised of initiative developments and events, and offer ways to volunteer, contribute and advocate on social channels.  

WHO WE ARE