BOISE, Idaho — The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho reports that more than 150,000 signatures have been submitted to the Secretary of State’s office as part of a push to put medical cannabis on the November ballot. 

A spokesperson for the alliance told KTVB those signatures were collected from all 44 Idaho counties by May 1. If approved, the petition could qualify the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act for the November 2026 ballot. State law requires at least 6% of those signatures must be registered voters in at least 18 legislative districts. 

A representative for the Secretary of State’s office said county clerks are working to verify those signatures, and confirmed the organization submitted signatures ahead of the deadline. Clerks are also working to prepare for Idaho’s primary elections, which is part of why the data has not fully been quantified and released. 

County clerks have 60 days from the May 1 deadline to verify the signatures. 

“This milestone belongs to the tens of thousands of Idahoans who signed. Together, we have moved the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act one step closer to the ballot and one step closer to a decision made by the people of Idaho themselves,” said Amanda Watson, communications lead for the Natural Medicine Alliance. 

The push comes as marijuana is reclassified federally as a Schedule III drug — but that does not mean it is legal in Idaho. 

RELATED: With US reclassifying medical marijuana, is it now legal across the country?

Under the initiative, people diagnosed by a licensed medical practitioner with a “substantial health condition” could apply for a medical cannabis card starting July 1, 2027. Qualifying conditions include cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, autism, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and terminal illness, among others.

The initiative sets strict monthly possession limits and does not allow unlimited use.

Public use would remain illegal. Smoking or vaping cannabis in public places would still be a misdemeanor, and driving under the influence of cannabis would continue to be a crime.

The initiative gives oversight authority to the Idaho Board of Pharmacy, which would license and regulate medical cannabis producers.

Licensed producers would be required to meet extensive regulatory standards, including criminal background checks, security plans, routine inspections, detailed operating plans, and oversight by a licensed pharmacist.

The initiative would provide legal protections for patients, doctors, pharmacists, caregivers, and licensed businesses acting within the law. Those individuals could not be arrested or penalized under Idaho law solely for participating in the medical cannabis program.