Idaho Governor Signs Bill Setting Mandatory Minimum Fine For Marijuana Possession

Idaho’s governor has signed a bill creating a new mandatory minimum fine for possession of marijuana.

Under the legislation approved by Gov. Brad Little (R) on Monday, adults caught with less than three ounces of cannabis will face a mandatory minimum fine of $300.

Sponsor Rep. Bruce Skaug (R), the sponsor of the measure, told a House committee last month that “we do not want this to become a marijuana state.”

On the House floor, the representative asked colleagues: “Tell me what state—anybody who debates against this bill—what state is a better place because of the passage of marijuana legalization? I submit none.”

He later told a Senate committee that “a $300 fine is not too much if you can afford to buy this marijuana and concentrate.”

“Every dollar spent on pot by someone is not spent on food, clothing, school supplies, real medicine or housing,” he said.

The new law is set to take effect on July 1.

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Last year, Skaug filed a similar bill that sought to set a minimum $420 fine for possession of three ounces or less of cannabis, but it was not enacted into law.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow (D) criticized the latest marijuana fine proposal ahead of a Senate floor vote last week.

“Research studies show that fines are not always a deterrent to behavior, and we know that legislation was [put forward] in another year that had the fine actually at $420 and that didn’t [pass] and now we’re at $300,”she said. “So I’m wondering about the arbitrary nature of where we’re setting.”