Senate committee advances bill setting $300 minimum fine for misdemeanor marijuana possession after hours of testimony

The Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee on Wednesday voted to send House Bill 7 — which would set a $300 mandatory minimum fine for misdemeanor possession of marijuana — to the full Senate with a "due pass" recommendation after extended testimony from law enforcement, medical professionals, veterans and community groups.

The bill, introduced to the committee by Representative Bruce Skaug (R., House District 10), would set a floor for fines on misdemeanor marijuana possession. "We have it right now, it's 0 to a thousand dollars for misdemeanor possession of marijuana," Skaug told the committee, and said a judge had asked him to bring a bill setting a minimum. "That judge in particular wanted $500 ... I tried $4.20 last year ... 300 is the compromised number." He asked the committee to send the bill to print and to the floor.

The bill drew sharply divided testimony. Supporting HB 7, law-enforcement groups and conservative organizations said a mandatory minimum would strengthen deterrence and underscore Idaho's stance against wider legalization. Chief Rex Ingram, president of the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and chief of police in Caldwell, said a $300 minimum would help maintain public safety: "I urge you to consider the implementation of a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for marijuana possession as a means not only to deter this behavior but also to maintain the law and order that Idahoans value here."…