SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 4, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Two medical marijuana bills have cleared their committee hearings and advanced in the Utah State Legislature.
Senate Bill 89, sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw (R-Orem) and Sen. Emily Vickers (R-Cedar City), passed the Senate Heath and Human Services Committee Thursday, with a unanimous vote.
Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Mark Madsen (R-Saratoga Springs), passed with a 4-to-1 vote from the Senate Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee.
Both bills are aimed at providing relief to patients with serious, chronic and debilitating medical conditions. State Bill 89 would allow extracts. State Bill 73 is known as a “whole plant” bill.
Both bills suggest the marijuana or extract require a doctor’s prescription, and would be regulated by the state. Both bills are expected to be heard by the state Senate within the next week.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday at a news conference that he would like to see more research into the medical benefits of marijuana, and suggested that perhaps one of Utah’s universities could conduct a study.
