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Sponsor seeks ballot amendment to require two-thirds legislative approval before legalizing unlawful drugs
Summary
Representative Scott introduced RS 32324, a proposed constitutional ballot question that would amend Idaho's constitution to require a two-thirds legislative vote to legalize "unlawful drugs"; committee voted to introduce the request series.
Representative Scott presented RS 32324 to the House State Affairs Committee, describing it as a proposed ballot question to ask Idaho voters whether the state constitution should be amended to require a two-thirds vote of the Idaho Legislature to legalize "unlawful drugs."
Scott said the measure would ask voters: "Shall section 26, article 3 of the constitution of the state of Idaho be amended to prohibit the legalization of unlawful drugs unless approved by 2 thirds of the Idaho legislature and enacted into law?" He defined "unlawful drugs" in the draft as "drugs, substances, or chemicals with no legal medical use pursuant to Idaho law." He argued the change was intended to protect "personal, community, environmental and economic health."
During questions, Scott said the current draft was reworded from an earlier effort and that he had removed a prior linkage to federal Food and Drug Administration definitions. He told the committee he wanted the measure to proceed through the full legislative process: "Yes, I want this to go through all the way."
Representative Mickelson moved to introduce RS 32324; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The committee did not take a final vote on any implementing statutory language at this hearing, and public testimony specific to this request series was not recorded in the committee transcript.
