No Medical Marijuana This Year In Utah
By William “Stash” Jones
Oregon Cannabis Connection
January 28, 2017 – Utah decided Friday not to move forward with legislation that would have created a strict medical marijuana program in their state. Instead they will push through bills that will allow research at the state and federal levels and begin looking at a structure for a production and distribution network to be implemented at a later date.
“This does not mean this is off the table for the foreseeable future. It means this year we’re going to take a break. We’re going to look at the research. We’re going to look at the infrastructure,” Rep. Gage Froerer, who was the sponsor of legislation last year, said at a news conference with three other lawmakers.
Froerer also indicated the stance taken by the incoming Trump administration weighed on their decision. The political climate in Utah is also not steady. They want to wait until the President’s position, and other political leader’s positions, are made clear.
“Knowing what the political climate is, knowing what the political landscape is here in the state of Utah, looking at what our stakeholder’s interests are, and looking at trying to make some progress this year, I felt it’s in the best interest of…my particular bill to not move forward with a policy decision at this time,” Froerer explained further during the press conference.
Sen. Evan Vickers of Cedar City pointed out that the money for the research and development of a dispensary and supply system would cost money, which will be a tough sell to his colleagues in a year with a slim budget.
But, if legislators fail to act, a ballot initiative is likely, according to legalization advocates.
“If they are unwilling to listen, or the legislatures unwilling to act, then its time for the people to act and we need a ballot initiative on this,” Connor Boyack of the Libertas Institute, a libertarian focused organization told Fox 13 News in Salt Lake City.
They plan to gather signatures to get a measure on the 2018 ballot.
The one major fact that you need to be concerned with is marijuana has not ever killed anyone. Not one person has died from marijuana. You cannot say that about the alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or sugar that is sold without limits on how much a user can purchase. Anyone 21+ can purchase pure grain alcohol at the “state” owned liquor store and drink it to the point where they cannot function but smoking weed is frowned upon? One other item that is not being told to the citizens is that a marijuana user can quit at any time and not see any ill side effects. There is no difference between quitting marijuana and quitting sugar. Sure you like candy bars and donuts but you don’t “need” to have them. Marijuana users do not go through withdrawal symptoms like an alcohol, tobacco, or opiate (morphine or codeine) user does. These are all legal drugs that can be freely purchased or prescribed. Do not think for a second that a marijuana user cannot quit on the spot without any issues other than the feeling to want something. The same feeling as you wanting a sugar fix. Assume a level of responsibility and accountability to the public and do what is morally right.
These lawmakers have their heads in the sand over this issue when it is clear what needs to be done. Decriminalize and regulate the sale and distribution of legal marijuana.
Pingback: No Medical Marijuana This Year In Utah – Oregon Cannabis Connection ⋆ the internet's best kept secret