Robert Celt
New Member
Utah Senate passed two bills through committees Thursday that could legalize marijuana. Senate Bill 89 and Senate Bill 73 deal with different aspects of legalization. Several Utahns told stories of how they suffer with medical conditions that have been seriously helped by medial pot.
Senate Health and Human Service committee unanimously passed SB 73. The bill would expand who could use cannabidiol, the oil extract from marijuana that has little to no THC. It's already legal for children who suffer from epileptic seizures. Would allow use by adults, and those with other ailments.
Doctors praised the bill because it would also create a database which could later be used for research.
SB 89 received the most attention because it would legalize full plant medical marijuana for those with certain conditions. Public heard testimony from several doctors and patients who support the bill. Kenneth Thomason is a cancer patient who only has about 6 months to live. He said marijuana is one of the only things that helps with multiple issues.
"If there is something that can help people live their lives, if there is something that can help people eat and look to the next day," said Thomason. "Let's look and consider what that means."
Thomason was prescribed several opiates to deal with pain. One of the side effects which causes less bowl movements. His was so bad the backup in his system almost killed him. Other doctors testified to the opiate problem in Utah. They note over 2.5 million prescriptions were written for them last year. They note marijuana doesn't have risk for overdose like opiates do.
Dallas Sainsbury gave an emotional testimony about what it's been like suffering from Crohn's disease. For her the issue is having to take so many medications. Finding relief from marijuana where other drugs didn't work.
"Doctors are giving you 18 some odd pills multiple times a day just to get you through that's not the only answer," said Sainsbury.
Senator Mark Madsen, the bill's sponsor, said this is also about people having the right to access the medication that could help them. Without the government interfering.
Still the bill had several who spoke against. Many worrying that it could unintended consequences.
"It's so open ended two years from now the proponents of this bill will come back and ask for recreational marijuana." said Colton Bennett. "Which is why this bill is a slippery slope."
The Utah Medical Association also spoke out against the bill because there wasn't enough research to back up the claims of its benefits.
Although it was noted that federal laws have made it nearly impossible to do studies on marijuana's medical benefits.
The two bills now head to the senate floor for full debate. If passed they would need to go to the house for a vote and then be signed into law by the governor.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Two Medical Marijuana Bills Head To Utah Senate
Author: Glen Beeby
Contact: Good4Utah
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Good4Utah
Senate Health and Human Service committee unanimously passed SB 73. The bill would expand who could use cannabidiol, the oil extract from marijuana that has little to no THC. It's already legal for children who suffer from epileptic seizures. Would allow use by adults, and those with other ailments.
Doctors praised the bill because it would also create a database which could later be used for research.
SB 89 received the most attention because it would legalize full plant medical marijuana for those with certain conditions. Public heard testimony from several doctors and patients who support the bill. Kenneth Thomason is a cancer patient who only has about 6 months to live. He said marijuana is one of the only things that helps with multiple issues.
"If there is something that can help people live their lives, if there is something that can help people eat and look to the next day," said Thomason. "Let's look and consider what that means."
Thomason was prescribed several opiates to deal with pain. One of the side effects which causes less bowl movements. His was so bad the backup in his system almost killed him. Other doctors testified to the opiate problem in Utah. They note over 2.5 million prescriptions were written for them last year. They note marijuana doesn't have risk for overdose like opiates do.
Dallas Sainsbury gave an emotional testimony about what it's been like suffering from Crohn's disease. For her the issue is having to take so many medications. Finding relief from marijuana where other drugs didn't work.
"Doctors are giving you 18 some odd pills multiple times a day just to get you through that's not the only answer," said Sainsbury.
Senator Mark Madsen, the bill's sponsor, said this is also about people having the right to access the medication that could help them. Without the government interfering.
Still the bill had several who spoke against. Many worrying that it could unintended consequences.
"It's so open ended two years from now the proponents of this bill will come back and ask for recreational marijuana." said Colton Bennett. "Which is why this bill is a slippery slope."
The Utah Medical Association also spoke out against the bill because there wasn't enough research to back up the claims of its benefits.
Although it was noted that federal laws have made it nearly impossible to do studies on marijuana's medical benefits.
The two bills now head to the senate floor for full debate. If passed they would need to go to the house for a vote and then be signed into law by the governor.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Two Medical Marijuana Bills Head To Utah Senate
Author: Glen Beeby
Contact: Good4Utah
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Good4Utah
