Will Weed Be Banned In Idaho?

If you have been following the legalization process of marijuana in the United States, you will be well aware that it is a very slow process. There are no over 30 states that have legalized medical marijuana, with a few more well on there way to joining them. However, it is also true that some statements are proving much more resilient in their efforts to keep weed an illegal drug. So what about the state of Idaho? Recent;y, Idaho has been in the news related to the topic of cannabis and medical marijuana. This is because Idaho seems to be missing the point completely when it comes to why medical marijuana is important for patients who rely on it for the numerous health benefits it provides.

Legislature seems to hold that every form of medical marijuana will be completely banned from the state. Some states do ban certain forms of medical marijuana, specifically if there is a high or potent amount of THC in it.

However, CBD oil is usually allowed since it is regulated by the federal government to have 0.3% or less THC. Does Idaho even allow CBD? Unfortunately, the answer is no, and it looks like it is not going to change anytime soon. The stance on marijuana used for medical purposes seems to be a permanent prohibition. Unsurprisingly, residents in Idaho have been pretty vocal about the idea of allowing medical marijuana; after all, there is more than enough research to suggest that the use of cannabis can be really beneficial as a treatment option for people who are struggling with chronic diseases or other physical ailments. These types of cannabis do not even contain enough THC to even feel any sort of high. However, the year 2021 brought on a new move against the legalization of marijuana, and it seems that the state of Idaho will not be joining on the fun like a lot of its neighbors.

One of the most disappointing parts of this whole thing is that most medical marijuana patients are not even wanting to use cannabis to get high. For some reason, lawmakers and legislatures seem to think that medical grade cannabis will be used in ways that harm society. Instead, I can say with full confidence that some people turn to medical grade cannabis when they run out of other treatment options. For a lot of people, medical marijuana actually provides relief that they have not been able to see from other medications or treatments. And for those policy makers who are worried about people getting high, most medical marijuana does not even contain much THC. So what is the point of holding out on this medical marijuana policy? Who is it really benefiting?

Another crazy part of this story is that the Idaho legislature has made moves to constitutionally ban cannabis legalization in the future. If you are not exactly sure what this means, don’t worry because I am about to explain it to you. With the creation of the Idaho Medical Marijuana ACT in 2021, we are seeing that the state has filed articles to make marijunana completely illegal in the state. Basically, this means that there will be no form of medical marijuana and no exceptions. It also means that there is no hope in the future for any form of recreational cannabis either. And to make things worse, there is basically nothing that voters can do to change it once it becomes constitutional. Idaho, what is your deal with cannabis? I hope that Idaho will change its stance on cannabis, but I don’t see it happening anytime in the near future.

Why You Should Hold On To That Medical Marijuana Card

As of right now, there are over 30 states in the United States that have legalized the medical use of marijuana through a process of applying for and obtaining a medical marijuana card. While there is a lot of discrepancy from state to state on what types of conditions qualify for using medical marijuana, it is nice that more and more people are able to turn to cannabis as a treatment option for their chronic diseases or pain.

Some people who are lucky enough to live in a state that has legalized medical marijuana will know how great it is to be able to take advantage of these programs. However, it is widely known that the process for obtaining and renewing a medical marijuana card is extremely strenuous and full of bureaucracy.

To get your own medical card, you have to jump through hoops and meet with doctors and fill out forms, and it can be a really stressful time for people who are already dealing with a lot physically and mentally. Not only that, but you have to meet with your doctor or primary care physician everytime that you want to renew your medical marijuana card, and this can get old really quickly.

Some states are getting to the point where they are legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, meaning that anyone over the age of 21 can legally buy and use marijuana within the state's guidelines. So what does that mean for people who have previously been relying on their medical marijuana card to get cannabis? Should they just throw the card out the window? Well, there actually may be some good reasons for you to hang on to your medical marijuana card, even after recreational cannabis has been legalized in your state.

One important aspect of the medical marijuana industry is that medical dispensaries are considered an essential service. This means that in the face of some unforeseen that shuts down a lot of businesses and services, essentially businesses like medical dispensaries will remain open. However, cannabis dispensaries that are not licensed to distribute medical marijuana are not considered essential. This means that if we ever have to shut down again, you will have a tough time finding a place to buy cannabis if everything is shut down.

Keeping your medical marijuana card ensures that you can always turn to the medical dispensaries to get your monthly allotment of cannabis. If you do not have your medical card but are in great need of marijauna, you may be out of luck. If you rely on cannabis to help with chronic pain and other health conditions, it may be important for you to have that assurance of a medical dispensary at all times. 

Another reason for why you should hang on to your medical marijuana card comes in the form of taxes. There are now 14 states that have legalized recreational cannabis, which is the legalization of adults over the age of 21 to use and buy marijuana. However, numerous government programs have been put into place to collect tax revenue from the marijuana industry.

However, some states do not have a tax put on medical marijuana if recreational marijuana is also legal. Instead, the tax money from the recreational cannabis industry is also paying for the medical marijuana industry. This means that you can potentially pay a lot less in taxes (or nothing at all) when buying medical marijuana from a medical dispensary instead of from a  recreational one. This could potentially save you a lot of money in the long run, so I highly recommend hanging onto that medical marijuana card!