BOISE, ID – Supporters of a proposed medical cannabis initiative in Idaho say they have gathered more than 45,000 signatures in an effort to place the measure before voters in the November 2026 election.

According to the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, the signature total was reached as of Monday, Feb. 2. The group is working to qualify the proposed Idaho Medical Cannabis Act for the statewide ballot. To do so, supporters must collect more than 70,000 verified signatures from registered voters across the state.

The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho says the initiative aims to create a regulated medical cannabis program that would allow qualified patients to access cannabis treatment with a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. The organization says the proposal is intended to provide alternative treatment options for individuals facing serious medical conditions, including cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy and chronic pain.

The group argues the measure could help reduce reliance on opioid medications. According to figures cited by the organization, nearly 836,000 opioid prescriptions are written annually in Idaho, a state with fewer than two million residents. That equates to approximately 44 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents.

Supporters of the initiative say medical cannabis would offer what they describe as a natural and non-addictive treatment option. The proposed program would include regulatory oversight and is intended to support Idaho agriculture and generate tax revenue for local investment, according to the organization.

The initiative remains in the signature-gathering phase. If supporters collect enough verified signatures, the measure would appear on the November 2026 general election ballot, where Idaho voters would decide whether to adopt the medical cannabis program.

Idaho currently does not allow medical or recreational marijuana use.