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by Kaleb Cox
On Nov. 6, Utahns were able to vote in the 2018 midterms. Along with electing four representatives and a sen- ator, several amendments and proposi- tions made it onto the statewide ballot.
Proposition 2 in particular sparked much controversy. is citizen-initiat- ed measure was designed to legalize medical marijuana for those in Utah with qualifying conditions. It was nar- rowly approved by voters with 543,559 votes in favor and 496,893 opposing the initiative.
“It was controversial because there were some parts of Prop 2 that many groups felt were too loose,” said Utah Lieutenant Governor and NS graduate Spencer Cox. “It would make it easier for people without medical conditions to get access to marijuana.”
is initiative initially faced strong opposition from the likes of Safe Drug Utah, several Utah politicians, as well as the Church of Jesus Christ of La er Day Saints, a religion that over 51 per- cent of Utah citizens subscribe to.
“[Governor Gary Herbert] and I very much support the concept of medical marijuana,” Cox said. “We want it to be like any other medicine where you meet with your doctor, your doctor prescribes it, you go to a pharmacy and get it, and get the right dose that is necessary for your condi- tion.”
Because of this shared goal of pro- viding help and relief to those who desperately need the healing e ects of this medication, a compromise was struck between supporters and oppo- nents of Proposition 2.
Earlier this past October, they agreed that if it passed, Governor Her- bert would call for a special session of the Utah State Legislature to work out legislative alterations to the proposi- tion, helping to ease the concerns many had with it. Even if it didn’t pass, the special session would still be called to come up with a bill that would work for all involved parties.
“Whether it passes or fails, we’re going to arrive at the same point and conclusion, which is going to be (of)
bene t to the people of Utah,” Herbert said.
e passionate support many have for the legalization of medical marijua- na o en comes from the ever-growing epidemic of opioid painkiller addic- tion and overdose across the nation.
According to a 2016 study done by the America Society of Addiction Medicine, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and in 2015, opioid overdoses lead this epidemic with 20,101 over- dose deaths related to prescription pain relievers.
With more studies constantly showing that medical cannabis is less addictive and provides a be er qual- ity of life long term, this new legality status in Utah—as well as across the country with more states following suit—has the potential to save count- less lives annually.
It was for that very purpose that the Governor, the legislature, the op- ponents and the proponents were able to all get together and come up with a compromise before the vote that they
felt most people at least would be hap- py with.
One of the ideas behind the com- promise legislation is that the pub- lic health departments will become dispensaries, meaning that Sanpete county will get its own, including one in Mount Pleasant.
“I think it will be good for those patients with certain conditions where it’s proven that medical marijuana can help relieve su ering,” Cox said.
Despite Utah joining 31 other states with this now-passed measure, it’s unlikely that the next step will be made towards full legalization of mari- juana, allowing for recreational use, at least anytime soon.
“ e states that have [fully legal- ized marijuana] are not by and large happy with it,” Cox said. “ e Gov- ernor of Colorado—who’s a very lib- eral Democrat—has told us that it’s the worst thing Colorado did, and he wishes they could change it.”
