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Medical Marijuana Picking Up Steam in Utah

Politics

Medical Marijuana Picking Up Steam in Utah

Results from a new survey indicate that most people living in Utah support the idea of legalizing medical marijuana.

The survey discovered that 61 percent of Utahns favor legalizing medical marijuana, 36 percent oppose the idea, and 2 percent didn’t know whether or not they would support the change.

After asking people to identify themselves as a person who definitely favors, somewhat favors, definitely opposes, somewhat opposes, or was unsure about the prospects of legalizing medicinal cannabis, the survey’s single biggest category was the definitely favor category, which was chosen by 35% of all respondents.

RELATED: DID RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA JUST BITE THE DUST IN THE SUNSHINE STATE?

According to Utah Policythe growing popular support of medical marijuana is receiving attention in the State Senate, where Senator Mark Madsen has been spearheading efforts to get legalization in the books.

The site says that “Madsen, R-Saratoga Springs, suffers from chronic back pain. He traveled to Colorado a year ago to legally test whether medical marijuana could help him.”

“Madsen returned to say it appeared to do so.”

“He introduced a bill into the 2015 Legislature on the subject but found its careful drafting would take more time.”

Despite the fact that his first bill failed to pass the Senate earlier this year, Madsen is apparently not giving up.

“Madsen, a staunch conservative by anyone’s measure, is again preparing a bill on legalizing marijuana for the upcoming 2016 Legislature,” Utah Policy reported.

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“Other lawmakers may attempt legislation in the same area. And Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said he expects a comprehensive medical marijuana bill to be introduced in the upcoming session, with the possibility that it may pass.”

Statistics from the new survey indicate that older Utahns tend to be more openly in support of legalizing medical marijuana while younger Utahns tend to be more opposed to such a move.

61 percent of survey respondents older than 65 support legalizing medical pot while 37 percent oppose it. In contrast, 51 percent of those 18-24 years old oppose the idea and only 46 percent support it.

You can see a more detailed break-down of the survey’s results at Utah Policy.

(Photo Credit: marijuanapackaging.com)

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