A Resolution in Support of HJR 4
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HJR 4
Preserving Legislative Authority Over the
Legalization of Psychoactive Substances in Idaho
The question to be submitted to the electors of the State of Idaho
at the next general election shall be as follows: "Shall Section
26, Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be
amended to provide that only the Idaho Legislature shall have
power and authority to legalize the growing, producing,
manufacturing, transporting, selling, delivering, dispensing,
administering, prescribing, distributing, possessing, or using of
marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances?"
WHEREAS, Article III, Section 24 of the Constitution of the
State of Idaho declares:
"The first concern of all good government is the virtue and
sobriety of the people, and the purity of the home. The
legislature should further all wise and well directed efforts for
the promotion of temperance and morality", and
WHEREAS, Article III, Section 26 of the Idaho Constitution
already grants the Idaho Legislature "full power and authority"
to regulate intoxicating liquors (which are psychoactive
substances); and
WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4) proposes to
clarify that the legislative "full power and authority" to legalize
psychoactive substance extends to all psychoactive substances;
and
WHEREAS, psychoactive substances can impair judgment and
sobriety and can have significant consequences for individuals,
families, workplaces, highways, the environment, public health,
public safety, and Idaho communities; and
WHEREAS, decisions regarding the legalization of
psychoactive substances warrant careful consideration through
the legislative process, including public committee hearings,
testimony from citizens and experts, review and debate in both
houses of the Legislature, as well as accountability to Idaho
voters; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature currently exercises
responsibility for Idaho's controlled-substance laws and
regularly approves any changes to the Idaho Controlled
Substances Act; and
WHEREAS, HJR 4 would preserve the Legislature's ability to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities concerning temperance, sobriety, public health, and public safety by ensuring that legalization of psychoactive substances occurs only through legislative action; and
WHEREAS, other states that have broadly legalized recreational drugs, including marijuana, have experienced significant public-policy challenges involving drug normalization, impaired driving, illegal markets, organized criminal activity, workplace impairment, youth exposure, mental and behavioral health concerns, and increased demands upon public and social services; and
WHEREAS, Idaho has a compelling interest in carefully evaluating the consequences of drug legalization before making fundamental changes to state policy;
WHEREAS, reserving decisions regarding the legalization of psychoactive substances to the Legislature helps ensure that such consequential policy changes receive thorough public scrutiny and are made through Idaho's representative legislative process rather than through campaigns that may be heavily influenced or financed by interests from outside the State of Idaho;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the
County
Central Committee hereby
declares its support for HJR 4 and the proposed amendment to Article III, Section 26 of the Constitution of the State of Idaho and
encourages Idaho voters to support the proposed constitutional amendment when it is presented to the people of Idaho for their
ADOPTED by the
County
Central Committee this
day of
_ 2026.
County Chair
Submitted by Mary Souza Precinct Committeewoman 407
Adopted by the KCRCC September 22, 2026
