Citizens in Utah would overwhelmingly support a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the state, according to a UtahPolicy poll released Wednesday.
Sixty-six percent polled support access to doctor-prescribed medical cannabis; compared to just 28 percent opposed. Earlier this year the legislature failed to pass a medical marijuana bill and now the issue will likely appear as a ballot initiative in 2018.
The poll found that the majority – 55 percent – of Republicans who identify as “very active” in the Mormon Church were for medical marijuana infrastructure while 91 percent who consider themselves “very liberal” supported the legalization.
Republican Sen. Mark Madsen was responsible for legislation allowing full use of the plant as medicine; however that bill was redrafted and amended so that it permitted less use of THC. It was ultimately defeated in the Senate.
The most recent measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Evan Vickers failed to make it to the floor for a vote last month after lawmakers realized it would cost the state $800,000 to implement the program. Legislative leaders indicated that there was no money in the budget to cover that cost if it were to pass, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Vickers’ bill would have focused on CBD instead of whole plant therapy, as was in the case with Madsen’s proposal.