Panel Discussion on the Idaho Human Rights Act recorded at the State Capitol Feb., 6, 2013 — Part 1. The full 1-hour panel will be broadcast Mon., Apr. 1st at 2:00 pm
SINCE THIS RECORDING WAS MADE, THE JOINT SENATE AND HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HELD AN INFORMATIONAL HEARING ON THE MOVE TO UPDATE THE IDAHO HUMAN RIGHTS ACT TO INCLUDE PROTECTION FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY. HOWEVER COMMITTEE CHAIR CURT McKENZIE OF NAMPA SAID HE DIDN’T THINK SENTIMENT HAD SHIFTED ON THE COMMITTEES ENOUGH FROM LAST YEAR TO HAVE A FORMAL HEARING THAT MIGHT LEAD TO A BILL OR A VOTE.
THE IDAHO HOUSE YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A NON-BINDING RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA –QUOTE– “FOR ANY PURPOSE.”
THE RESOLUTION IS IN PART A REACTION TO THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN NEIGHBORING WASHINGTON, AND IN PART A REACTION TO THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DURING THE LAST DECADE IN NEIGHBORING MONTANA, NEVADA, OREGON AND WASHINGTON.
TODAY’S HOUSE VOTE WAS 63-7. THE MEASURE CLEARED THE STATE SENATE IN FEBRUARY.
AN E-MAIL SENT BY GOVERNOR OTTER’S PRESS OFFICE DOESN’T SPECIFICALLY SAY THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THE RESOLUTION, BUT QUOTE’S IDAHO OFFICE OF DRUG POLICY ADMINISTRATOR ELISHA FIGUEROA PRAISING THE MEASURE. FIGUEROA SAID IN THE STATEMENT THE AVERAGE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD HOLDER IN CALIFORNIA IS A 32 YEAR OLD WHITE MAIL WITH A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE BUT NO HISTORY OF LIFE-THREATENING DISEASE. FIGUEROA SAID, ““We are closely watching medical marijuana states, and can clearly see the negative consequences they are experiencing as a result of their medical marijuana programs. Voters believed they were helping sick people and have been surprised and dismayed by an industry that is overrun with fraud.” FIGUEROA SAID IN ARIZONA, –QUOTE– “citizens are now dealing with blatant recreational use, fights to keep dispensaries out of neighborhoods, and costly litigation.”
RESOLUTION SUPPORTER REPUBLICAN RERESENTATIVE LUKE MALEK OF COEUR D’ALENE CALLED MEDICAL CANNABIS –QUOTE– “a pretty farcical predatory scheme that’s getting worse.”
ONE OF THE VOTES AGAINST THE RESOLUTION WAS FROM DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SHIRLEY RINGO OF MOSCOW. RINGO SAID, “I’m afraid I would be remiss if I didn’t speak up for certain individuals I know that are suffering from debilitating disease that is painful, and they tell me they do get some relief from using this product on a medicinal basis. That’s not to say maybe that they couldn’t find something else, but I think they’re very grateful for the relief that they can get.”
SCR0112 is a non-binding resolution opposing the legalization of marijuana in Idaho “for any purpose.”
The speaker is David Benjamin Hall.
I’m not sure who the Senator asking a question of him is.
The staticky sound at the end is apparently the committee’s way of cutting off speakers when they go over their time limit.
The Resolution was sponsored by Republican Senator Chuck Winder (first syllable pronounced as in “Gone with the Wind”) of Boise.
Recorded Wed., Feb. 20, 2013 in the Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee, the first time in Idaho that the legislature has taken public testimony on the medical marijuana issue.
One of Republican Representative Tom Trail’s medical marijuana bills in 2011 & 2012 received an informational hearing before the House Health & Welfare committee, but no public testimony was taken, and those bills did not get support. Rep. Trail (of Moscow) has since retired from the legislature, meaning there’s nobody who’s enough of an advocate of medical marijuana in the Idaho legislature that they’re willing to introduce a bill.
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