Scott Sommerdorf  |  The Salt Lake Tribune             
After midnight, Utah Governor Gary Herbert thanks the Representatives for their work as the Legidlators ended the 2012 session in the Utah House of Representatives, Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Governor says lawmakers should act on medical marijuana

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he wants lawmakers to take action on medical marijuana regardless of whether a November ballot initiative to legalize it passes.

The Deseret News reports Herbert said Thursday at this monthly news conference on KUED that he’ll use his “bully pulpit” to push a compromise allowing more patients access to the drug.

Herbert says he’ll vote against the ballot initiative known as Proposition 2, which came under fire from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others last week.

But he also said lawmakers should be able to support a “common-sense position” that could include having county health departments serving as dispensaries.

Medical-marijuana advocates decided to take the issue to the voters after years of frustration at the Republican-dominated Legislature.