SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A coalition made up of medical experts, clergy, law enforcement and business leaders gathered on Utah’s Capitol Hill Thursday to speak in opposition to Proposition 2.
Proposition 2, which will appear on the ballot this fall, would legalize the medical use of marijuana for individuals with qualifying medical illnesses, according to Ballotpedia.org.
Those that support the statement released by the coalition include representatives from Utah Medical Association, Utah Sheriffs’ Association, Utah PTA Association, the Salt Lake Chamber, the Episcopal Diocese of Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A news release issued by the Church on Thursday, delivered at the Utah State Capitol Thursday by Michelle McOmber of the Utah Medical Association, reads in full:
Medical marijuana is an issue that has generated strong emotions and opinions among proponents and opponents alike. On one hand, initiatives to legalize marijuana in other states have led to increased drug use among youth, higher risk of impaired driving, and an increase in hospital emergency department visits, among other significant public health and safety concerns. On the other hand, patients suffering from debilitating pain and other medical conditions have struggled as traditional treatment strategies have failed to provide relief. The marijuana initiative appearing as Proposition 2 on the ballot this November does not strike the appropriate balance in ensuring safe and reasonable access for patients while also protecting youth and preventing other societal harms.
We are firmly opposed to Proposition 2. However, we do not object to marijuana derivatives being used in medicinal form—so long as appropriate controls and safeguards are in place to ensure vulnerable populations are protected and access is limited to truly medicinal purposes. Moreover, though continued research into the risks and benefits of medical marijuana use remains paramount, current scientific evidence suggests marijuana contains components that may be of benefit to some patients.
We urge the voters of Utah to vote no on Proposition 2. We also urge lawmakers, patients, and community stakeholders to work together to find a solution that works for all Utahns. The hallmarks of Utah’s unique policy accomplishments in the past have been civility, compassion, and a spirit of compromise, and we are confident an approach guided by these principles will yield similarly effective policies.
For more information on Proposition 2, click here.
I find it interesting that since all their concerns have been answered and they cant find a reason to oppose Prop 2, NOW those opponents are saying they favor medical cannabis…but just not the way it comes to Utah with Prop 2.
Uh huh…. lets delay it even longer.
Marijuana consumers deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Nationwide!
There is absolutely no doubt now that the majority of Americans want to completely legalize marijuana nationwide. Our numbers grow on a daily basis.
The prohibitionist view on marijuana is the viewpoint of a minority and rapidly shrinking percentage of Americans. It is based upon decades of lies and propaganda.
Each and every tired old lie they have propagated has been thoroughly proven false by both science and society.
Their tired old rhetoric no longer holds any validity. The vast majority of Americans have seen through the sham of marijuana prohibition in this day and age. The number of prohibitionists left shrinks on a daily basis.
With their credibility shattered, and their not so hidden agendas visible to a much wiser public, what’s left for a marijuana prohibitionist to do?
Maybe, just come to terms with the fact that Marijuana Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that’s approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think, and there is nothing they can do to stop it!
Legalize Nationwide!…and Support All Marijuana Legalization Efforts!