Idaho Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2026)
| Idaho Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2026 | |
| Topic Marijuana laws | |
| Status Cleared for signature gathering | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The Idaho Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative may be on the ballot in Idaho as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.
The initiative would legalize the use of marijuana for individuals diagnosed with a substantial health condition.[1] The initiative would allow individuals to receive a medical cannabis card and production companies to receive a medical cannabis production license.
Text of measure
Short ballot title
The official short ballot title is as follows:[1]
| “ | Measure decriminalizing the use, possession, cultivation, transportation, distribution, and sale of marijuana by medical cannabis cardholders and production licensees.[2] | ” |
Long ballot title
The official long ballot title is as follows:[1]
| “ | This measure proposes to legalize marijuana possession and use for persons who obtain a "medical cannabis card" from the State of Idaho if a practitioner diagnoses that they have a "substantial health condition ranging from cancer and AIDS to anxiety and acute pain. Medical cannabis cardholders may designate one or more licensed "caregivers" to assist in obtaining medical cannabis and may not receive more than 113 grams of "smokeable cannabis" or 20 grams of THC for vaping and other forms of ingestion each month. The measure permits businesses to apply for a "medical cannabis production license" to cultivate, produce, transport, distribute, and sell marijuana or other cannabis-based products. The state will issue up to three licenses initially, and no more than six total, to applicants who submit the proper licensing, background and operating plans. The measure provides inspection, shipment, enforcement, and funding rules for these businesses. The measure prohibits state and local law enforcement cooperation in the investigation of federal drug law violations. It forbids landlord, educational and employment discrimination against users and sellers of medical marijuana. The measure also reclassifies marijuana and THC from a Schedule I to a Schedule II controlled substance.[2] | ” |
Full text
The full text of the initiative can be read here.
Fiscal impact statement
The fiscal impact statement, issued by the Idaho Division of Financial Management, can be read here.
Path to the ballot
Process in Idaho
- See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Idaho
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Idaho, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the number of registered voters as of the state's last general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2026 ballot:
- Signatures: 70,725 valid signatures are required.
- Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures is May 1, 2026.
Stage of this ballot initiative
Below is a timeline of the initiative:[3]
- August 27, 2025: Givens Pursley Law Firm, representing the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, filed the petition with the secretary of state.
- October 20, 2025: Attorney General Raúl Labrador (R) issued the short and long ballot titles for the initiative, and the initiative was cleared to begin gathering signatures.
External links
See also
View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Idaho.
Explore Idaho's ballot measure history, including
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vote Idaho, " Idaho Medical Cannabis Act Petition," accessed October 29, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Vote Idaho, "Idaho Initiatives and Amendments," accessed October 29, 2025
