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Idaho marijuana initiative withdrawn

Idaho marijuana initiative withdrawn
Posted at 4:11 PM, Mar 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-03 18:15:51-05

The initiative seeking to decriminalize three ounces of marijuana and legalize medical marijuana in Idaho has been withdrawn.

The petition inaccurately stated that the American Academy of Pediatrics “endorsed medical access to marijuana.” The AAP, in letters to New Approach Idaho, Inc.’s board members, William James Esbensen and Dana Wilson, dated February 19, 2016, states, “This language misrepresents the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement. The AAP opposes legalization of marijuana because of the potential harms to children and adolescents.” They added, “We request that New Approach Idaho, Inc. cease using the American Academy of Pediatrics name in its existing ballot initiative materials immediately.”

“I am very pleased that the marijuana legalization petition has been withdrawn. It is well-known that marijuana use adversely affects the health and developing brains of children and adolescents and legalization increases access to this harmful drug, so today is a great day for the health and safety of Idaho’s children,” said Elisha Figueroa, Administrator of the Idaho Office of Drug Policy. “It’s unfortunate that pro-marijuana groups such as New Approach Idaho believe they can mislead, manipulate, and outright lie to Idaho voters in an effort to gain signatures on their ballot initiative and I applaud the American Academy of Pediatrics for holding them accountable for their actions.”