Legal Status

One narrow exception: Idaho allows use of certain FDA-approved cannabinoid drugs (for example, Epidiolex, which is a CBD-based drug approved for specific forms of epilepsy). These are regulated pharmaceuticals, not marijuana itself.

Recreational marijuana is completely illegal in Idaho. Idaho law does not permit the possession, cultivation, sale, or use of marijuana for non-medical purposes. Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+2LegalClarity+2

Medical marijuana is also illegal. There is no state medical cannabis program; having a medical recommendation or card from another state offers no protection under Idaho law. LegalClarity+2Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+2

The state classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance under Idaho law, which is the highest level of restriction (no accepted medical use, high potential for abuse under state classification). Idaho Office of Drug Policy+2Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+2

Recent Legislative Changes

Under prior law, possession of three ounces or less was a misdemeanor. The new law changes the minimum financial penalty but does not change the classification (still misdemeanor for small amounts). youridattorney.com+2spokesman.com+2

In 2025, Idaho passed House Bill 7, which imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for anyone aged 18 or older convicted of simple possession of marijuana of three ounces or less. This takes effect on July 1, 2025. Idaho Capital Sun+2cdapress.com+2

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalty severity depends on the quantity of marijuana possessed, intent (personal use vs distribution/trafficking), and whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony. Some key benchmarks:

Offense	Possession / Plants	Penalty Type	Possible Jail	Possible Fine
Possession ≤ 3 ounces (personal use)	≤ 3 oz	Misdemeanor	Up to 1 year	Up to $1,000, plus now a minimum $300 idahostatesman.com+2youridattorney.com+2
Possession > 3 ounces but less than 1 pound	> 3 oz to < 1 lb	Felony	Up to 5 years	Up to $10,000 idahostatesman.com+2Justia Право+2
Possession with intent to distribute; cultivating many plants; large quantities	e.g. 1-5 lbs or 25-50 plants, etc.	Felony / Trafficking	Minimum 1 year up to many years (depending on scale)	Fines ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars legislature.idaho.gov+2idahostatesman.com+2

• Under Idaho Code Section 37-2732(e), possessing more than three ounces is a felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine up to $10,000, or both. legislature.idaho.gov+2Justia Право+2
• For large-scale trafficking (e.g., large weight or large number of plants), mandatory minimum sentences are prescribed in statute. legislature.idaho.gov

Other Regulatory & Policy Details

• Hemp law: Idaho has changed its law to comply with the federal 2018 Farm Bill regarding “hemp” (non-marijuana cannabis with very low THC) in certain contexts. However, Idaho effectively prohibits retail hemp products that contain THC above very low levels; many consumer products with any THC from cannabis (not hemp) are illegal. Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+1
• Travel & interstate issues: It is illegal to bring marijuana into Idaho, even if purchased legally elsewhere. Crossing state lines with marijuana into Idaho can lead to charges. idahostatesman.com+1

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Political Efforts & Ballot Initiatives

• There is a group called Kind Idaho pushing a ballot initiative for 2026 to decriminalize personal possession and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana in Idaho. The proposed initiative would allow:
  1. Possession of up to one ounce of marijuana flower (or up to 1,000 mg of THC in oils, edibles, tinctures).
  2. Home cultivation of up to 12 plants.
  3. Storage of up to eight ounces of harvested marijuana from those plants.
  4. Prohibiting consumption in public/open settings. Idaho Office of Drug Policy+1
• So far, all attempts to legalize medical or recreational marijuana in Idaho have failed in the legislature. There is strong political resistance; Idaho remains one of the few states with total prohibition of both medical and recreational cannabis. Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+2LegalClarity+2

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Implications & Observations

• Idaho’s laws are among the strictest in the US with regard to marijuana. Even small amounts carry criminal penalties, and recent legislation increases penalties (via minimum fine). Idaho Cannabis Information Portal+2spokesman.com+2
• Legal clarity is low for people who are medical card-holders in other states, or travellers who may obtain cannabis legally elsewhere but are crossing into Idaho. Idaho law does not offer exceptions or recognition in those cases. LegalClarity+1
• Enforcement practices can vary (as in many states) depending on local jurisdictions, but the statutes are clear that possession above three ounces becomes a felony, which has serious consequences.

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Conclusion

Idaho maintains a prohibitionist policy toward marijuana: neither recreational nor medical use is legal. Recent legislation has tightened penalties for smaller-scale possession (three ounces or less), by introducing mandatory minimum fines. Large possessions, cultivation, supply, or trafficking are felonies with heavy penalties. Although there is an active political movement to decriminalize or loosen laws via ballot initiatives, as of mid‐2025 Idaho remains strongly opposed to legalization.