The Senate has begun debate on SCR 112, the resolution from Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, to declare that it’s the policy of the Legislature that Idaho should never legalize marijuana for any purpose. “What’s happened as all of you are aware, the state of Washington has legalized or in the process of legalizing medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana,” Winder told the Senate. “Oregon still has medical marijuana.” Idaho has seen increasing marijuana busts on its interstate freeways, Winder said. “It’s impacting our communities, it’s impacting citizens of Idaho, it’s impacting our children.”

He said, “It’s a significant problem. There is an effort nationally going on to legalize marijuana, not only for medical purposes, but for recreational purposes, and Idaho is one of those targeted states.” He urged the Senate “to basically stand up for our state, say that we don’t want legalized marijuana.”

Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, noted that the Republican Party in her district successfully pushed three pro-marijuana city initiatives, but they’ve not taken effect because marijuana remains illegal. “SCR 112 chases ghosts that haven’t appeared yet, in anticipation that they might,” Stennett said. “The part that disturbs me with this resolution is its overreach.” She said it dismisses the concerns of cancer patients who find immediate relief from the nausea of chemotherapy treatment from smoking marijuana, enabling them to eat and avoid malnutrition. “Please do not dismiss this,” she said.