Surrounded by pot

Montana voters passed two ballot initiatives last week that legalized recreational use of marijuana.

I-90 creates rules for marijuana use, while CI-118 amended the Montana Constitution to allow the state to set the minimum buying age at 21. Both measures had to pass in order for recreational use to become legal.

Marijuana is legal in one form or another on all sides of the Gem State. Though the substance remains illegal in Wyoming, pot is legal for recreational use in Canada, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and now Montana, while Utah allows medical marijuana. What does that mean for Idahoans?

Not much, according to Idaho State Police.

“Marijuana laws vary state to state,” said Captain John Kempf. “However, anyone living or traveling through Idaho should know that marijuana remains illegal in Idaho.”

Since neither voters nor lawmakers have changed that, Kempf said, Idaho State Troopers will continue to enforce Idaho’s laws.

Possessing less than three ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor in Idaho, punishable by up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine or both. Possessing more than three ounces is a felony that carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Before marijuana is legally sold in Montana, however, rules and regulations have to be established.