SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah House of Representatives has passed a compromise plan to legalize medical marijuana despite concerns that the regulations make it too hard for patients to access the drug.
The Monday vote came after about two hours of debate. It now goes to the Utah Senate, where it is also expected to pass.
The changes include blocking marijuana edibles like cookies, preventing people from growing their own marijuana and narrowing the list of eligible medical conditions.
The plan was sponsored by Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes after a negotiation process that included the influential Mormon Church.
Hughes says the compromise improves upon the language approved by keeping marijuana from being used recreationally or by children.
Democratic critics of the compromise proposed keeping the language approved by the voters, but Republicans in the Utah House voted down the idea.
