Boise, ID: Republican Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation (HB 7) into law imposing new mandatory fines for people convicted of minor marijuana possession offenses.
Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, those convicted must pay a mandatory fine of at least $300. (Total fines may be as high as $1,000.) Those convicted of possessing marijuana also face up to one year in jail.
NORML issued an action alert opposing HB 7, arguing that it is overly punitive, inconsistent with voter sentiment, and improperly strips Idaho judges of their power.
NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Currently, judges may use their discretion when determining whether it is appropriate to impose fines upon violators. Passage of this bill removes this discretion and mandates judges to impose a fine of not less than $300, even in instances where they believe that such a punishment is inappropriate. House Bill 7 is mean-spirited and its one-size-fits-all approach is inconsistent with our longstanding principles of justice and fairness.”
Between 2018 and 2023, state and local police made over 31,000 marijuana-related arrests. Over 94 percent of those arrests were for marijuana possession, not sales. In total, approximately half of all drug-related arrests in Idaho are marijuana-related.
Separate legislation (House Joint Resolution 3) restricting voters from weighing in on ballot measures specific to the liberalization of marijuana or other controlled substances is currently pending in the state legislature.
Information and action alerts on over 70 pending marijuana-related bills are available from NORML’s Take Action Center.