HB 7: It wastes taxpayer dollars

I strongly oppose HB7 because it misallocates law enforcement and court resources, much like Prohibition did with alcohol. Criminalizing low-level marijuana possession diverts attention from serious crimes while burdening taxpayers.

Inefficient Use of Law Enforcement & Courts:

• During Prohibition, police wasted time chasing casual drinkers instead of focusing on real crime. HB7 does the same, forcing officers to prioritize minor marijuana cases over violent crime, property theft, and human trafficking.

• Courts will be clogged with minor offenses, increasing costs for prosecution, public defenders, and administrative overhead — all at taxpayer expense.

• Many conservative states have moved toward citation-based enforcement for minor marijuana offenses, keeping cases out of court while still upholding the law. Idaho should follow suit.

Repeating the Mistakes of Prohibition:

• Prohibition failed because it wasted resources and overburdened the justice system.

• Idaho’s harsh stance does not stop use; it simply creates unnecessary legal entanglements for minor offenders.

• Citation-based enforcement would free up law enforcement to focus on serious threats while avoiding needless court cases.

A Smarter Approach:

• Instead of mandatory fines and criminal records, Idaho should implement civil citations, reducing costs and allowing police to focus on public safety.

• Courts should be reserved for real crimes, not minor infractions that waste taxpayer money.

I urge Governor Little to veto HB7 and support a more efficient, fiscally responsible approach to marijuana enforcement.

CLAYTON SAPPINGTON

Rathdrum