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Rep. Bruce Skogg seeks constitutional amendment to bar citizen legalization of drugs
Summary
Representative Bruce Skogg introduced RS 32581, a proposed constitutional amendment that would reserve authority to legalize marijuana and similar substances to the Idaho Legislature and remove the initiative route; the committee voted to introduce the RS to print.
Representative Bruce Skogg, R-Star, introduced RS 32581 on behalf of the sponsor, saying the measure would place a constitutional amendment question on the November 2026 ballot that would reserve the power to legalize marijuana, narcotics and other psychoactive substances solely to the Legislature.
"First concern of all good government is the virtue and sobriety of the people and the purity of the home," Skogg said, quoting language he cited from Idaho's constitution as the philosophical basis for the proposal. He told the committee the measure is intended to remove the citizen initiative path for legalizing the substances described in the draft and leave that authority to lawmakers: "Only the legislature will have authority to legalize drugs of the nature that's they're described. That takes the initiative process out of legalizing any drugs in our state."
Skogg framed the proposal as a response to studies and personal experience he said show harm from marijuana and other psychoactive drugs. He referenced HJR 3, a previously filed constitutional approach on the subject, and said he would withdraw HJR 3 from the floor if RS 32581 moves forward in this committee. He also cited recently enacted state law, HB 7, as evidence of the state's tough stance on misdemeanor marijuana, saying the governor had "signed into law with a strong pass" the tougher penalties.
Representative Palmer moved to introduce RS 32581; after a brief question from Representative Hostetler seeking clarification that the proposal was intended to address Schedule I drugs (Skogg said he purposefully avoided naming schedules but that the text would address substances commonly listed as Schedule I), the committee voted in favor by voice vote and the motion carried.
The committee did not hold a full public hearing on the RS during this session; Skogg asked that the RS be printed so a subsequent hearing could be scheduled.
