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SALT LAKE CITY – Governor Gary Herbert announced that he would convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Utah in order to pass a bill of " compromise "on marijuana for medical purposes.
Proponents and opponents of Proposition 2 side by side to approve the bill, which will be submitted to the legislature regardless of the public vote on the citizen referendum.
Governor Gary Herbert spoke at a press conference announcing the bill on marijuana for medical purposes. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)
"As part of this plan, marijuana will be distributed to patients by well-trained physicians and pharmacists who are qualified to do so," Governor Herbert said Thursday.
The bill is the product of weeks of in-camera discussions between groups ranging from the Utah Medical Association to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (who are 39; opposes Prop. 2) Libertas libertarian-minded think tank and patients in Utah. Coalition, sponsor of the Prop. 2.
"There is a common ground to ensure that patients in need have, at least on the state side, a legal means to access marijuana." for medical purposes while protecting their rights against recreational use and not compromising public safety, "said House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper. FOX 13.
The 126-page bill has been tabled in the state legislature of Utah that creates a medical cannabis program recommended by a doctor. Patients who meet the list of requirements may apply for a marijuana card that the Utah Department of Health would have approved. Marijuana "prescriptions" would be obtained from state-run clinics or local health departments.
See a diagram of the operation of the proposed law:
A diagram of the dispensary for the marijuana bill for medical purposes. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)
Federal law does not allow pharmacies to dispense cannabis, but it would act as a version of a state-owned dispensary. Senator Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, complained that marijuana dispensaries in other states did not look "very professional"
"Under this system, we will have strict controls to prevent misuse, particularly to prevent the product from being used for recreational purposes on the black market," said Governor Herbert.
The following are the requirements and operation of the cannabis program:
A table published by the state legislature of Utah shows how the medical marijuana compromise package would work. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)
Cannabis growers would be licensed by the state and there would be independent testing of the product with a stock control system.
"It does not allow cookies, brownies and edible products containing marijuana that appeal to children," said Michelle McOmber of the Utah Medical Association. "This is a system in which medical marijuana can be dosed by licensed physicians and distributed by licensed pharmacists or public health departments."
Prop. 2 had to vote, but proponents of the initiative feared that the state legislature of Utah is preparing to falsify it.
"While we were looking for what was going to be the long term, access for patients, not just a short-term victory in November, we obviously feared that the legislator would completely get over proposal 2", said DJ Schanz of the Utah Patients Coalition. "In fact, many invoice files are waiting for modification and elimination of Prop 2 when it is adopted."
This bill would prevent the legislature's efforts to destroy the citizen's initiative and force them to pass a bill backed by some of Utah's most powerful politicians.
"In order to ensure the long-term interests of patients, it was the best thing to do.We are still in a strong position to negotiate what we consider to be important parts of the Prop 2," Schanz said.
Some advocates for patient rights felt good about it.
"It's not going to go away, people are not going to leave it alone, the subject is not going to die and they're going to face a lot of heat if they do not deal with it now," Todd said. Moon, whose son epileptic could benefit from medical cannabis.
People line up to pick up signs at the launch party in support of Utah's Proposal 2. (Photo courtesy Connor Boyack, Libertas Institute)
Christine Stenquist of the Patient Advocacy Group Together for Responsible Use and Education in Cannabis (TRUCE) criticized the in camera discussions. She noted the mistrust of the legislature, which ignored the issue for years until it became a citizen-led voting initiative.
She told FOX 13 that she was "cautiously optimistic but skeptical" about the bill.
"An extraordinary session with a lame legislature is always something we oppose, and we still see Prop 2 as the best insurance policy for a good medical cannabis law in Utah." But if what we hear is true and sincere, so worth listening to, "she said in a text message.
"TRUCE will review the wording of the bill and issue a statement when we have had time to do so, and we will always put patients ahead of politics."
Representative Angela Romero of Salt Lake City described Thursday's protest as "electoral repression". She said it would undermine a very public vote on something that people were very attached to. Nevertheless, she said the vote would force the legislature to report on the promises made.
"People have to make sure to vote and are part of this political process," she said.
After the unveiling of the bill, President Hughes promised a public audit with public participation. Some indicated that they would continue to request a public vote on the Prop. 2, despite the intention of the legislature.
"That's how you fire your elected officials," said Representative Hughes.
The LDS Church announced that it would begin its campaign against Prop. 2, while the Utah Patients Coalition announced that it would stop its advertising plans to vote in favor of the initiative.
Jack Gerard, a member of the College of Seventy LDS Church, speaks at a press conference on the marijuana compromise bill. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)
The LDS Church has recently faced protests and criticism for participating in the in-camera talks (religions are allowed to intervene without fear of losing their tax-exempt status, but not the candidates themselves). Jack Gerard, a member of the College of Seventy's Church, told FOX 13 that they were looking for a compromise.
"We are only one voice in the choir, we want to be a constructive voice," he said. "I think so, in fact, I think our modest participation has helped to facilitate the community solution that we have arrived at today."
Watch the press conference here:
Read the bill here:
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