Utah's Medical Marijuana Initiative

The church is part of a coalition to oppose the initiative on the ballot to allow Medical Marijuana in Utah.

“The Church does not object to the medicinal use of marijuana, if doctor-prescribed, in dosage form, through a licensed pharmacy,” said Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a member of the coalition. “We are deeply concerned by the history of other states that have allowed for medical or recreational use of this drug without the proper controls and have experienced serious consequences to the health and safety of their citizens.” (Coalition Seeks Safe and Compassionate Alternative to Utah’s Medical Marijuana Initiative, MormonNewsroom,  23 Aug 2018)

Here is a link to what the proposition is.

This makes sense to me.

I don’t actually disagree with the Church’s stance regarding the need for a doctor and a prescription being involved and all that. Unfortunately, because of federal law, that simply is not possible at this time. Pharmacies can’t dispense it, making the Church’s proposal of finding a “better” solution a literal impossibility. (Comment by Firebyrd on August 24, 2018 at 1:37 pm on “Church doubles down on opposition to medical marijuana initiative in Utah”)

From what I understand, marijuana  would have to be removed from Schedule I of the controlled substances act in order to make it prescribe-able in a pharmacy. The advocates for the initiative say that this is not going to happen any time soon.

I relate to this comment 

I acknowledge what General Authorities said about this issue. I also acknowledge that they also said that every church member (and everybody else as well) should carefully study the preposition and learn about its potential consequences and then make an informed decision. 

... 

That being said I don’t really see any consistency here by the opponents (not necessarily the church). Tobacco causes tens of thousands of deaths every single year in Utah. But tobacco can be bought in every grocery store. We try to protect youths by setting a minimum age. The same is true for alcohol regarding deaths, availability and protection of youths. However with marijuana we act like it would be more poisonous than tobacco or alcohol. 

Prohibition will always create the need for more laws, more police, more gangs, mobsters and violence. But prohibitional mandates will never eradicate the use of any prohibited substance. 

Every pharmacy carry tons of drugs with potential harmful or addictive effects. We try to protect against abuse by requiring a prescription. And of course still a lot of abuse will happen. But we do not ban all those drugs.

I also relate to this comment.

To my conservative friends: the Church is correct on its position on immigration. 

To my liberal/progressive friends: the Church is correct on its position on same-sex attraction and gender. 

To my libertarian friends: the Church is correct on its position on marijuana. 

The Church is always correct.

And to this one,

I will give you a key that will never rust, if you will stay with the majority of the Twelve Apostles, and the records of the Church, you will never be led astray.  

(Joseph Smith, quoted by "The Keys That Never Rust", James E. Faust, Oct 1994. As reported by Orson Hyde Hyde, Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, June 21, 1870, p. 3. "Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy" Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 315–26)

I have mixed feelings about legalizing substances that can be abused. "Prohibition will always create the need for more laws, more police, more gangs, mobsters and violence." There are also those who become addicted to them because "it is legal" who would not have if it were illegal.

I get where the church is coming from. They are stating the best practice. That it should be prescribed and made available from a pharmacy. Federal law would have to change for that to happen.

I also see the frustration of those who seem to gain benefit from a herb. They seem to be using good judgement and gaining benefit from it. I would not want to make it illegal for this.

One thing that I was not aware of is that cannabidiol (CBD) oil is legally available by mail anywhere in the US.

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Connor Boyack posted a FAQ in support of Utah's Prop 2