Times-News
THE BIG STORY
Sunday, September 17, 2017 | E1
Sunday, September 17, 2017 | magicvalley.com | SECTION E
PAT SUTPHIN, TIMES-NEWS FILE
Kelsey Osborne stands with other protesters after her preliminary hearing Nov. 29 at the Twin Falls County Courthouse. The Gooding mother, who gave her daughter marijuana-infused butter to treat seizure-like symptoms, pleaded guilty in February to misdemeanor injury to a child.
MARIJUANA IN IDAHO Could legalization of marijuana be in Idaho’s future? NATHAN BROWN
nbrown@magicvalley.com
T
WIN FALLS — Last fall, Nevada legalized recreational marijuana, becoming the third state bordering Idaho to do so and opening the possibility that pot will soon be sold legally a short drive from Twin Falls. So far, Idaho has stood fast against the trend of liberalizing marijuana laws sweeping statehouses and ballots across the country. Neither recreational nor medical marijuana use is legal in Idaho. Possession is a misdemeanor up to 3 ounces, and a felony for possession of more. In 2015, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter vetoed a bill that would have made it easier to use non-psychoactive cannabidiol oil to treat seizures, but created state-controlled CBD oil experiment treating three dozen children with severe seizures. The state Department of Health PAT SUTPHIN, TIMES-NEWS and Welfare is asking lawmakers to Student Resource Officer Steven Gassert shows off the Fatal Vision alcohol goggles approve $26,800 during next year’s he uses when he teaches Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at South Hill Middle School in Twin legislative session to fund the tests for another year, as the drug is taking lon- Falls. Gassert is working to acquire Fatal Vision goggles for marijuana side effects. ger than expected to be approved for wider use federally. “For cannabidiol oil, I think that program is working Attempts in Idaho to get ballot iniwell. If you were to take a vote on cannabidiol oil, I tiatives to liberalize marijuana laws, think it probably would pass. Medical marijuana, I which have worked in many states to legalize both medical and recreational don’t know, but recreational, absolutely not. The states marijuana, have so far fizzled. There that have expanded the use to recreational marijuana have been three attempts in recent years to gather signatures to put med- have seen significant issues with respect to the ical marijuana on the ballot — two Please see MARIJUANA , Page E3
Inside: Elko County bans
dispensaries outside of cities. Page E4
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enforcement of it. Fatalities are up. The societal cost has been significant.”
Brent Crane, R-Nampa, Assistant House Majority Leader
MORE INSIDE: ‘Deplorable’ youth blamed in 1927 ban, E2 | Marijuana in Idaho: A timeline, E3 | Stances of Idaho’s gubernatorial candidates, E3