Politics
Idaho Ballot Measure To Block Voters From Legalizing Marijuana Is Anti-Democracy (Op-Ed)
“Idaho lawmakers know that they can no longer make a rational case for the state’s prohibitive and punitive marijuana policies.”
By Paul Armentano, NORML
Regardless of one’s views on marijuana, Idahoans must reject HJR 4 this November.
House Joint Resolution 4 seeks to amend the state constitution so that voters no longer have any say in determining Idaho’s drug policies. That’s not anti-marijuana, that’s anti-democracy.
HJR 4 mandates, “Only the legislature of the state of Idaho shall have power and authority to legalize…marijuana or other psychoactive substances.”
The message behind this resolution cannot be clearer. State officials don’t trust voters to do their bidding on the marijuana issue.
Lawmakers’ apprehensions are well deserved. They understand that their “reefer madness” views are out of step with most Idahoans. For example, nearly 70 percent of Idahoans said in a poll that “the use of marijuana for medical purposes should be made legal.”
Yet, despite this popular support, most lawmakers would rather stick their collective heads in the sand. That is why they are seeking to remove voters from the equation permanently.
For decades, voters have been far ahead of their elected officials on matters pertaining to the legalization of marijuana for medical and adult-use purposes. Many of the 41 states with legal medical cannabis access did so by voter initiative. Ditto the 24 states where marijuana is legal for adults. In short, politicians dragged their feet and voters took matters into their own hands.
Those voters don’t regret their decisions. No state has ever repealed its marijuana legalization laws. In fact, public support for legalization is greater today than at nearly any time in our nation’s history.
This reality has Idaho lawmakers, and Republicans especially, running scared. They know that their antiquated views on cannabis are unpopular with voters. But rather than evolve their views to align with those of their constituents, they’d rather eliminate voters from the democratic process altogether
In a healthy democracy, those with competing visions on public policy vie for voters’ support. They seek to persuade and influence the electorate by making sound arguments and by providing hard evidence. But Idaho lawmakers know that they can no longer make a rational case for the state’s prohibitive and punitive marijuana policies—policies that are out-of-step not only with most other states, but also with most Idahoans.
As a result, they are asking Idahoans to relinquish one of the most fundamental powers they have in a free society: their power to vote.
Whether or not one personally supports or opposes cannabis legalization, these undemocratic tactics ought to cause Idahoans—and, quite frankly, all voters—deep concern.
Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
