Medical Marijuana Battle: Why is legalizing pot such a crisis?

Utah broke national headlines recently with how close it came to legalizing medical marijuana with Senate Bill 73. Had it done so, Utah would have been the 24th state to legalize, excluding D.C. The controversy behind whether or not pot should be legalized is an ongoing battle between the states conservative beliefs, and the not so separation of church and state government that Utah holds. So what really is the problem here?

Here are some facts. Impressively, the bill went on a few rounds, managing to uphold, but when it finally died, senators voted it down 15-14, citing concerns of unintended consequences and confusion of language being proposed in the bill itself.

Governor Herbert and House Speaker Greg Hughes expressed concerns that it would lead to recreational use. Additionally, Senator Christensen of Ogden expressed worries of unintended consequences that are not worth intertwining between state and federal government. Finally, the Mormon Church did issue a statement on being against the bill, which put an influence into it being shot down.

My understanding of this bill is that it is here to benefit those who need it on a medical purpose, and that it would be strict and carefully watched over. The dispensaries would be regulated, with total state control. I’m left dumbfounded as to what has held us back to joining fellow states in passing this bill.

I have so many issues with this topic. I am LDS, and believe in the fundamentals of the church. However, legalizing marijuana should come down to the government’s decisions, with no church influence. There is no question that a church has no place in politics. We elect our officials for a reason, and they are to make their decisions based on the general interest of the people. Which leads to my second issue…

Legalizing pot, whether it is for medicinal or recreational purposes, provides plenty more benefits than consequences. On the recreational side it opens up jobs and employment, decreases crime (which has been proven by states like Colorado and Washington), and also increases state income from taxation. On the medicinal side it opens up a more natural and healthy/safer way for people in chronic pain to decrease such pain or to treat conditions like glaucoma. It also prevents individuals from abusing pharmaceutical drugs. The number of Utahns who abuse pharmaceutical drugs is unreal, yet we somehow have a moral issue with marijuana legalization.

People, do your homework and research the issue before jumping the gun and shooting down an excellent resource for your fellow brothers and sisters. Shoot your objections to @thereal_jsanch, or send in a letter to the editor, and maybe we’ll publish your input.