After contested hearing, committee approves minimum $300 fine for possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana

The Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted 10-4 to send House Bill 7 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation after more than two hours of public testimony and debate.

Sponsor Representative Jordan Redmond (District 3) told the committee HB 7 "sets a minimum fine of $300 for adults in possession of 3 ounces or less of marijuana" and said the bill is intended to create a uniform penalty across counties and act as a deterrent. The bill expressly excludes children under 18.

The hearing drew a mix of law-enforcement, business, veterans, medical-advocacy and criminal-justice testimony. Supporters included Sheriff Chris Getz, speaking for the Idaho Sheriffs Association, and Rex Ingram, Chief of Police in Caldwell and president of the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association; both described the minimum as a deterrent and said they have seen increased local impacts after neighboring states legalized recreational marijuana. "By having a mandatory minimum for…