Idaho lawmakers: We still don't want any pot in our state
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - State Sen. Chuck Winder has a simple message for states that have relaxed laws on the use of marijuana: Not here in Idaho.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted unanimously Friday to introduce and hold a hearing on a resolution pitched by the Boise Republican opposing marijuana use in any form.
The measure also urges President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce existing federal laws tied to moving drugs across state lines.
"It's kind of like the immigration issue," Winder said. "If (the federal government is) not enforcing the immigration issue, then it's left to the states to do it. All we're saying is, (marijuana) is causing problems to the cities and jurisdictions, so please enforce federal law as it comes to transportation of illegal drugs."
Last fall, voters in Washington state approved an initiative allowing adults over 21 to have up to an ounce of pot. Colorado voters approved a similar initiative in November.
Washington is expected to begin issuing licenses to marijuana growers, processors and retail stores, and the state's Liquor Control Board is developing rules for the fledgling marijuana industry. Sales in Washington are set to begin late this year.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last month, but were given no guidance on how the federal government will respond to plans in Washington and Colorado to set up legal markets for marijuana.
Winder said law enforcement officials along Idaho's western border are already dealing with drug trafficking due to the legalization of marijuana for medical use in Oregon, or with Idahoans crossing the border to obtain medical marijuana cards in Oregon or Montana.
Winder says he hopes the federal government takes steps to oppose Washington's law and to help states battle illegal trafficking of the drug.
The resolution comes after former Moscow Republican Rep. Tom Trail proposed legalizing marijuana for seriously or terminally ill patients. Trail introduced legislation in 2012 and 2011, but both times his bill failed to gain support.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted unanimously Friday to introduce and hold a hearing on a resolution pitched by the Boise Republican opposing marijuana use in any form.
The measure also urges President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce existing federal laws tied to moving drugs across state lines.
"It's kind of like the immigration issue," Winder said. "If (the federal government is) not enforcing the immigration issue, then it's left to the states to do it. All we're saying is, (marijuana) is causing problems to the cities and jurisdictions, so please enforce federal law as it comes to transportation of illegal drugs."
Last fall, voters in Washington state approved an initiative allowing adults over 21 to have up to an ounce of pot. Colorado voters approved a similar initiative in November.
Washington is expected to begin issuing licenses to marijuana growers, processors and retail stores, and the state's Liquor Control Board is developing rules for the fledgling marijuana industry. Sales in Washington are set to begin late this year.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last month, but were given no guidance on how the federal government will respond to plans in Washington and Colorado to set up legal markets for marijuana.
Winder said law enforcement officials along Idaho's western border are already dealing with drug trafficking due to the legalization of marijuana for medical use in Oregon, or with Idahoans crossing the border to obtain medical marijuana cards in Oregon or Montana.
Winder says he hopes the federal government takes steps to oppose Washington's law and to help states battle illegal trafficking of the drug.
The resolution comes after former Moscow Republican Rep. Tom Trail proposed legalizing marijuana for seriously or terminally ill patients. Trail introduced legislation in 2012 and 2011, but both times his bill failed to gain support.
"We still don't want any pot in our state", oops that ship has sailed.Â
 @oldster70 Yeah...it's more like "We don't want the competition & loss of profits...
PUT THE TRASHÂ DEALERS IN JAIL
PUT THEÂ THEÂ TRASH DEALERS IN JAILÂ
What's having no marijuana in Idaho like? Must be nice. Used to have it. Then it was made illegal and they don't have it. In Washington we just made it legal, but I can't tell any difference. Maybe it's got to fester awhile longer.
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No uptick in DUIs. No pot arrests, no court costs. Crime rate drops due to one less thing being illegal. Cops are focusing on property crimes now. Idaho doesn't need that.
I've got news for you Idaho. Marijuana has been abundant in Idaho for as long as humans have lived there. You'll never keep it out, nor should you try. How about focusing on criminals that are a danger to society, instead of a bunch of weed smokers?Â
Good for Idaho. Just because others endorse something that is wrong doesn't mean you have to give up and endorse it yourselves.
 @justathought I hope you don't drink or endorse any type of alcoholic drink with that attitude. After all, alcohol was illegal at some point. The federal government enforced prohibition and what came of it? Illegal drinking and organized crime. People were most likely put in prison for consuming or having possession of alcohol.
Whats the outcome of having weed these days (besides WA and CO)? People put into prison and organized crime. History seems to be repeating itself.
 @justathought Yes, they should continue fighting a war that produces no positive outcome, costs the taxpayers billions every year, and makes criminals out of people who are doing harm to no-one. Keep going with that logic there sparky.
It's interesting how Winder speaks for all of the people of Idaho saying "We still don't..." I think what he really means is "I still don't..."
"Republican Sen. Chuck Winder of Boise said the statement is a response to the growing acceptance of marijuana use in neighboring states. Winder said law enforcement along Idaho's western border are dealing with an influx of drug trafficking after Washington voters approved of recreational use and the medical use of marijuana in Oregon and Montana."
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Sorry genius but the trafficing isn't exactly surging since the passage of legal weed. Nor does the passage somehow increase usage in your state either.
 @what? Prohibition means higher prices, higher prices mean bigger profits. Tons of cannabis are being moved into Idaho because of prohibition and the government doesn't get to enjoy any of the benefits only the costs. Where there's a demand there will always be a supply. The drug cartels are a perfect example of what free market capitalism would look like. Time for them to get smart and just legalize it and tax it if they feel like it.
Its their choice I guess until the people write an initiative. So either they go with the black market cartels selling cannabis in Idaho or you legalize it and sallow it to be regulated and taxed. Doesn't seem like a difficult choice to rational people.
Given that they are IDAHO lawmakers, I'm pretty sure they have no say in the laws of other states. Worry about your own problems (like meth and crazy Klan-types) instead of passing meaningless busywork resolutions that have no bearing on the people you're talking about (namely people in other states).
Sure, we'll look the other way and allow you super far right-wing neo-nazi hate groups to set up camp and have gatherings every year. But don't bring any of that grass, unless it's hops, grain, and barley.
Maybe they can Get Crapo to preach it, he seems to do a good job of being a total hypocrite.
take it easy Idaho and worry about your own state and voters' wishes. we voted, its our state, end of story.
New Slogan:Â Idaho--We're all about the Spud, not bud.
 @Controlled-Insanity Funny thing there... more potatoes are grown in Washington than Idaho... maybe that's their true gripe. :P
This is just a tad bit to comical. Pot is already available in Idaho hello. Jump on the bandwagon because Washington State needs some competition. I love to go to Idaho to buy booze for the fact that it is much cheaper.
 @Tolly371 Tons of it is being shipped into Idaho and because its not regulated and gets to enjoy that free market capitalism that the right touts so much, they get to sell to who ever and when ever they want and all it does is cost the tax payers of Idaho more money. These racist and bigoted governments will never learn.
A bit like when 18-year-olds would drive from Washington to Idaho to buy beer back when the age limits and tax rates were different.
Idaho's version of "Reefer Madness" coming true
No one see the irony here? Idaho is a red state, controlled by Republicans. Republicans talk a good game about states' rights.
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And here they are complaining to the feds about another state exercising its state rights.Â
@lakeview Well I wouldn't be so willing to paint all Republicans with the same brush. Montana is a red state and based on the people I've met from there that is one place that believes in personal and state freedoms. Don't forget that was one of the states that, under Obama's watch, had their medical marijuana network heavily attacked by the DOJ and DEA.
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Idaho, marches to its own drum beat, be grateful it is a beat that doesn't resonate well with most Americans.
 @Justaguy  @lakeview Montana's governor, Lt. governor, and both Senators are Democrats...just saying.Â
F*** Idaho! Signed,An Idaho native
Ban Idaho potatoes!
Hard to tell you this Idaho it already is and it was before we passed our measures.  And maybe we don't want any of your potatoes.
When I was there, 30+ years ago it wasn't very hard to find but the stuff you found was crap. Not worth the price they wanted. Â
Maybe they should concentrate on some real criminals.... like the white supremists up north????
@The WA Mama Or their drunken senators
@swansong68: And let us not forget politicians with wide stances!
 @The WA Mama They think this is real criminals and the white supremists are everywhere. They are not as bad as they once were there but they are there, just like they are here.
"Idaho lawmakers: We still don't want any pot in our state"
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Sorry to break the news to you Idaho but pot is already in your state and the failed effort to squash marijuana is not going to make any difference. I will go out on a limb here and say that I strongly believe that you have had pot smokers walking amongst your citizens for many, many years. You can either embrace the change or keep on fighting your losing battle.
Idaho is well known for its Meth culture. now there is a crime spree for you!
 @robmo I am from Idaho and I will tell you it is very hard to find pot. Meth is the drug of Idaho and can be found anywhere. The pot that has been coming into Idaho, has been coming from Mexico. Idaho has been trying to stop that for years. They are not wanting to add more to their problems. I understand what they are saying. When they say they don't want it, they will make sure that it is heard loud and clear.Â
 @Just my say  @robmo Much better to live in a meth-ridden state than one where pot's legal.  Wait, that didn't come out right....
 @Travis Hartnett I am going to that meth ridden state in a few months. It will be my favorite time of the year with meth heads. There taxes are gone, they have no money, and they will sell all their crap dirt cheap at a yard sale. I love them crack heads then. :) I will drop you off so you can be with your people, it's only a one way ride. :)Â
 @Just my say  @robmo Growing up in Idaho, it was not too hard to find (not as easy as around here, granted). Possession laws in Idaho are very draconian, though.
 @lakeview There are white people in Idaho? I thought I was the last of them when I moved. LOL
Idaho Hispanic Population Grows by 73 Percent
http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2011/05/26/idaho-hispanic-population-grows-by-73-percent
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 @Just my say  @Count_Screamalot Funny, I smoke pot and have never done meth. Maybe Idaho is just full of white trash? (It is).Â
 @Count_Screamalot You must have known people. One thing you should know that when you got a bag from one person, and if you go to the next town they had the same stuff. Smoking pot there was just about as worse as killing someone. I think they punish people with pot worse then they do with people with meth. Pot is the gate way drug to them. Plus once your caught, everyone was singing like a bird to the cops to get their charge at a minimal sentence.With all that singing, more and more people went down. They won't be able to get rid of it but they will punish you hard for it. Hope your happy that you moved from there and is enjoying life here.Â
@Just my say Interesting. I obviously didn't know this. Thanks for sharing!
@robmo They don't want crime in their state too but I'm sure they have it.
"law enforcement along Idaho's western border are dealing with an influx of drug trafficking after Washington voters approved of recreational use"
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Bull, this law is to new to tell what effects it will have on illegal flow. Nice try AP, but your attempt is weak propaganda at best.
They mean what they say about not wanting it, people have been sentence to prison for over 40 years for crossing the boarder with under a ounce. The people there think pot is the all evil drug the leads you to do meth and other drugs.Â