If an Idahoan is found in possession of under three ounces of marijuana, it’s classified as a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to $1,000 or one year in prison. Anything over three ounces becomes a felony.
But, drive five minutes away to Pullman, a town mere minutes away, these laws drastically change.
In the state of Washington, adults 21 and older can both purchase and possess marijuana. While there are still rules and guidelines to follow, the policies are much more relaxed.
Because Idaho borders Washington, Oregon and Nevada, three states allowing legal recreational usage, the lines become even more blurred, allowing a greater possibility of legal altercations than ever before.
When a ten-minute walk can begin as an illegal activity and end as a recreational excursion, something needs to change.
For those not as familiar with the complexities of each state’s policy, it can be easy to neglect just how radically different these laws are.
There are currently 29 states that legally allow the use of medical marijuana. When Colorado and Washington state passed legislation in 2012 allowing the legal use of recreational marijuana as well, others soon followed.
With eight states now legally allowing recreational usage, an increase in confusion about federal and state laws comes with it.
Understanding Idaho’s marijuana laws is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s equally important to become familiar with federal laws, since in many situations they can take precedence.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the highest of five categories.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, these are drugs with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
While federal legislation comes first, it can be dependent on whether or not federal officials decide to prosecute.
In addition to state and federal laws, the University of Idaho’s Code of Conduct is important to remember.
Article VIII states a clear no-tolerance policy of illegal drugs and alcohol on campus, with a “full range of sanctions” that may be applied in certain situations.
Marijuana aside, it’s always crucial to stay informed and up-to-date on state laws, as well as the laws that affect your direct neighbor — towns like Pullman that have more influence on the area than we often credit. These are constantly changing, and knowing policy intricacies can help in more ways than one.
A few minutes of research can be the difference between a warning and charges.
— MR