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A Proponent of Proposition 2 at the Election Night at a Patient Rights Defender Watch Night in Utah.
Renee Bright / KUER
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Renee Bright / KUER
A proponent of Proposition 2 at the Election Night at a Patient Rights Defender Watch Night in Utah
Renee Bright / KUER
Utah lawmakers are preparing to meet Monday as part of a special session dedicated to lame ducks to rewrite a marijuana law for medical purposes that voters passed in November. Patient advocates say this decision is a fatal blow to voters.
For a year, Julie King, mother of four from Saratoga Springs, Utah, has been passionately defending marijuana for medical purposes after discovering that she had an adverse reaction to opioids
Over the course of the year In the summer, King was diagnosed with a subset of sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. And she, like thousands of Utahns, signed a petition led by citizens to have cannabis for medical purposes listed on the ballot in November. The initiative, called Proposition 2, was adopted with support of nearly 53%, but not without controversy.
"Cannabis is an option for me for this very rare and very recurrent cancer, and I want it as an option," she says.
In early October, a coalition of Republican lawmakers – joined by doctors, cannabis advocates, and Mormon church leaders – announced that regardless of whether the measure had been passed or not, they would draft another version of the law shortly after the election. This version, they said, would address concerns about public safety.
"I think we are trying to find a solid ground on how we are providing patients with safe access to marijuana for medical purposes and also protecting the public. consequences, "Republican Republican President Greg Hughes said at a press conference announcing the deal.
These unintended consequences include, he said, keeping drugs out of the reach of children and opening the door to a recreational jar like neighboring Colorado and Nevada
. new bill, released just before Thanksgiving, restricts the list of eligible diseases and tightens the distribution, sale and format of the drug, among other changes.
Julie King read the new legislation, the 187 pages and says she's not a big fan. She is particularly concerned that the bill has been drafted in camera, excluding advocates for patients' rights, and conceded to demands from opponents such as the Mormon Church, which has great influence on Utah politics.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R) announces compromise on marijuana for medical purposes in October.
Julia Ritchey / KUER
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Julia Ritchey / KUER
Utah Governor Gary Herbert (right) announces marijuana compromise for medical purposes in October
Julia Ritchey / KUER
In the new version, King could claim a card as a patient suffering from pain but should plead his case before becoming a "compassionate counsel".
The rewrite became so controversial that two of the major patient groups helped to launch Proposition 2, which broke up: one to support the agreement, the first one was the first one. another threatening to sue.
At the first and only public hearing of the bill, more than 70 people registered to speak, mostly in opposition. Rocky Anderson, representing both patient groups, TRUCE and Epilepsy Association of Utah, said it was a capitulation to opponents of Proposition 2. "This is not a compromise bill."
Connor Boyack, author of the new Bill and leader of the medical marijuana advocacy group, Utah Patients Coalition, think critics are overreacting.
"I work from reality and not from fantasy." He says that even if he wants the legislature to leave the measure in the state, it will not happen.
"The legislature is fully empowered to cancel any ballot initiative if it so chooses, which is a little reason why we started these negotiations, in the hope of emptying its contents of what we had done in Proposition 2. ", he explains.
Much of the criticism regarding the redesign is related to the involvement of representatives of the Mormon Church, who opposed proposal 2 but are now supporting the project. compromise.
Gov. Gary Herbert, who plans to sign the bill, defended the church's seat at the table.
"I certainly think that the LDS church has influence because most of Utah's inhabitants, the majority, arrive at members of that church." he said at a press conference this month. "But you could say the same thing if you were in Massachusetts about the Catholic Church."
He stated that the agreement reached concluded would allow the state to control the access and quality of the drug in a more medical context. [19659008] "I do not know why someone would oppose that," said Herbert.
Julie King answered yes and she will take her daughter Monday to the state capital for watch legislators.
"I jokingly told her," I'm going to show you how Utah's policy works. "A group of whites in suits will stand on a podium and congratulate themselves." "
King states that the latest version of the bill would create a hierarchical order for patients, which it is not sure will have time to occupy.
" Honestly, I've tried to fight the process the right way – to get it's medically and legally – and the reality is that, if this revision passes as it exists, "she says,
I will have to access it illegally and face the consequences. "
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