Mormon church opposes Utah medical marijuana initiative

Mormon church opposes Utah medical marijuana initiative

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Mormon church came out against a medical marijuana ballot initiative in Utah on Tuesday as opposition mounts against the proposal that would allow people with certain medical conditions access to pot.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement Tuesday that drugs designed to ease suffering should be tested and approved by officials first. About two-thirds of Utah residents belong to the religion.

The church says it respects “the wise counsel” the state’s doctors and pointed to a statement from the Utah Medical Association, which earlier this month accused advocates of just trying to pave the way for legalizing recreational marijuana.

“We commend the Utah Medical Association for its statement,” the church said, “cautioning that the proposed Utah marijuana initiative would compromise the health and safety of Utah communities.”

The church stance isn’t surprising. The religion in 2016 opposed a Utah proposal that would have allowed the use of edible pot products. That same year, they urged members in Arizona, California and Nevada to vote against proposals legalizing marijuana.

The Utah-based religion teaches its 16 million members worldwide to abstain from drugs and alcohol.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican and member of the religion, said last month he’s against the initiative because it lacks safeguards for the growing and distribution of marijuana.

Advocates say those living with chronic conditions need access to the drug. Organizers say they already have the 113,000 verified signatures needed by the April 15 deadline to get it on the November ballot.

They would be asking voters to approve a state-regulated marijuana growing and dispensing operation to allow people with certain medical conditions to get a card and use the drug in edible forms like candy, in topical forms like lotions or balms, as an oil or in electronic cigarettes — but not for smoking.