The law would criminalize anyone who “willfully publishes in any media any notice or advertisement of a service or product that is illegal according to Idaho law.”
By Kyle Pfannenstiel of the Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho legislators have introduced a bill to criminalize the advertising of illegal products or services, such as marijuana.
Idaho law and federal law prohibit marijuana. In recent years, states around Idaho such as Washington, Montana and Nevada have legalized recreational marijuana use.
Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale) told members of the House State Affairs Committee there were advertisements for marijuana on billboards in Idaho near the Idaho/Oregon border, and in newspaper ads shared by Rep. Heather Scott from Blanchard, North Idaho near Washington.
“And then, another person sent me – actually on the Internet – that you can have your drugs delivered right to your Idaho door. Boyle said, “I thought this was outrageous.”
Rep. Julianne Young (R-Blackfoot) said that she had seen a billboard in downtown Boise advertising marijuana.
The bill, co-sponsored by Boyle, and Sen. Chris Trakel (R-Caldwell), would create a section of Idaho’s state criminal code that allows misdemeanors for “anyone who willfully posts any advertisement or notice, in any media, of a service or product that is illegal according to Idaho law.”
The House State Affairs Committee approved the introduction of the bill on Wednesday. The bill will now be subject to a full committee hearing, including public testimony, before being sent to the Idaho House.
The bill will take effect immediately upon its passage.
It is unlikely that the bill will have an impact on state or local funds. The bill’s fiscal notes estimate that county sheriffs may benefit from fines.
This article was originally published by Idaho Capital Sun.
The article Idaho Lawmakers want to ban marijuana billboards advertising dispensaries in neighboring Oregon first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
