In a remarkable turn of events, the Idaho State Affairs Committee worked some magic on a cannabis oil extract bill that had been previously stalled with a tie vote.
By all intents and purposes, Senate Bill 1146aa was dead. Otherwise known as “Alexis’ Law,” the measure provides a legal defense for the use of non-psychotropic, low-THC cannabidiol oil in the treatment of intractable epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
The bill passed through the Senate on March 24, but on March 30, a tie vote of 8-8 halted the bill in the House State Affairs Committee. In a surprise move, the committee revisited the bill April 2 and several lawmakers changed their vote, allowing the bill to pass and move on to the full House for consideration.
Idaho’s struggle for medicinal cannabis access has been long and especially impassioned. A 2010 poll from Boise State University shows that 74% of Idaho residents support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes.
We received an official statement from Serra Frank of Moms for Marijuana and New Approach Idaho on the battle for cannabis in Idaho:
The Senate Bill 1146aa is a small, but positive, step forward for Idaho. CBD oil for epileptic children is a good start for Idaho… However, this bill does not legalize CBD oil. It is merely an affirmative defense that parents can use in court. It does not protect against arrest, incarceration, or the involvement of agencies like Child Protective Services.
Parents still have to figure out where to get the oil, which would logically have to cross borders from states that have medical marijuana laws and organizations with the means to create the oil. Crossing state lines with a Schedule 1 Drug is a violation of federal law, so while parents may have a defense in local court, it manifests a danger that is a federal crime and does not protect the parents in federal court.
If you are a registered voter in the state of Idaho and you want to support New Approach Idaho, join their Global Marijuana March in Boise on May 2nd at Julia Davis Park and sign the petition to show your support for the expansion of medical marijuana!
