House Bill 7 Signed: Idaho Increases Marijuana Possession Penalties

25 February 2025

Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed House Bill 7 into law, implementing a minimum $300 fine for first-time marijuana possession offenses involving three ounces or less. The law applies to adults aged 18 and over and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Individuals caught with more than three ounces will continue to face felony charges, with penalties that include up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bruce Skaug (R), has been vocal about Idaho’s firm anti-cannabis stance, stating that lawmakers do not want Idaho to become a "marijuana state." During legislative debates, Skaug argued that money spent on cannabis should instead go toward essential needs like food, housing, and education. Opponents, including Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow (D), questioned whether fines effectively deter drug use and criticized the seemingly arbitrary nature of setting the fine at $300.