Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is at odds with more than three-quarters of state residents when it comes to medical marijuana. Earlier this week, the conservative Republican came out against a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana.
According to the governor, the plan is too broad and, if passed, will be a slippery slope to recreational use. “We need to be cautious as we test and introduce cannabis into our formulary,” Herbert said in the statement. “I believe the consequences of this initiative, even if they are unintended, will do more harm than good.”
According to a story from The Salt Lake Tribune:
Herbert said earlier this year that he thought Utahns would legalize medical marijuana. His spokeswoman later clarified that he was talking generally about medical marijuana and not the current ballot-initiative drive.
Herbert said his administration has worked with lawmakers for years on the issue, and he indicated he signed the bills despite wanting more study.
“I support efforts to allow medical researchers to better understand the medical properties of cannabis,” he said. “That, in turn, will allow physicians and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense cannabis as a controlled substance in accordance to the highest standards of medical science.”
More than three-fourths of Utah adults – 77 percent – “strongly” or “somewhat” favor legalizing medical marijuana, according to a poll from earlier this month. Only 21 percent of Utahns oppose legalization of medical cannabis, while three percent don’t know.
Supporters of legalization say a ballot initiative has nearly enough signatures to qualify for the Nov. 6 election. Utah Patients Coalition Director DJ Schanz believes the governor’s comments are a “scare tactic that has no basis in truth.” Schanz said in a statement that neither the Legislature nor governor should undermine the will of the people.
