I've received a few emails regarding the Special General Session called by Governor Herbert for the legislature to address medical cannabis. The session is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 3.

The emails I have received have encouraged me to leave Prop 2 as is, while others have encouraged me to support the compromise bill developed by both proponents and opponents of Prop 2. At this point, I have read in detail HB 3001 and plan to support the bill. I believe the majority of the people of House District 6 also support the bill.

Related to House District 6, it is apparent a clear majority of voters do not support Prop 2. Though it passed statewide, it was soundly defeated in the general election in our district. (5,494 votes for; 8,598 votes against) There were no precincts in District 6 where Prop 2 won.

Additionally, several weeks ago before the election I conducted a survey in District 6 that indicated a significant lack of support for Prop. 2. Here are the results:
Will you vote for Prop 2

• 50 % indicated they would not vote for Prop 2.
• 11.04 % indicated they would probably not vote for Prop2.
• 5.19 % were unsure
• 24.68 % indicated they would vote for Prop 2.
• 9.09 % indicated they would probably vote for Prop 2.

Do you support legalization for those with chronic pain and other ailments

• 72.44 % indicated they support legalization under doctor supervision
• 4.49 % indicated they support legalization under doctor supervision for end-of-life care
• 11.54 % indicated they weren't yet ready to support legalization
• .64 % indicated under no circumstance for legalization
• 10.90 % for other reasons

Do you agree with the compromise bill

• 17.57 % Strongly agree
• 25.68 % Agree
• 16.22 % Somewhat agree
• 22.30 % Neither agree or disagree
• 7.43 % Somewhat disagree
• 2.03 % Disagree
• 8.78 % Strongly disagree

It is my belief that within District 6, the most crucial aspect of this entire issue among our citizens is a clear consensus to bring medical cannabis medicine to those who can benefit -- those that have been waiting, those who can benefit now, and for those who will benefit in the future. It is equally clear, our district does not believe Prop 2 is the correct way to do it.

​HB 3001 is a well thought out and organized bill that will bring what we all want to give to those in need faster, better, and safer.

The bill is available for review at this link.

​Following years of work by proponents to provide medical marijuana for the benefit of those suffering from pain and other debilitating health issues, and following months of heated and divisive dialogue between opponents and proponents of Proposition 2 -- The Utah Medical Cannabis Act, a compromise was reached and announced today by Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Utah Senate President Wayne L. Niederhauser, Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes, and key players from both sides of the issue.

The compromise, brokered by Speaker Hughes, will appear in the form of a newly drafted bill file also entitled, Utah Medical Cannabis Act, that will be discussed, debated and voted on by members of the Utah Legislature following the November 6 election in a Special Session. Governor Herbert announced today he plans to make the formal call for the Special Session.

The compromise came together after many hours of heated discussion and debate on what both sides of the issue wanted. According to Speaker Hughes, the common ground centered on the desire of all parties to provide the benefits of medical marijuana to those people in need and who could benefit.

The special session will address the bill regardless of the outcome of the people's vote on Proposition 2 on Election Day. 

I have always supported the on-going work to find a medical marijuana solution that is good and beneficial for all Utahns suffering from pain and other conditions and believe this new bill will accomplish that. In fact, I am thoroughly convinced the bill will be good for patients in need, good for the State of Utah, and good for the people of Utah. I believe it will both serve the state and set an example of good practices for other states.

I was and remain opposed to Proposition 2 -- it is clearly not the best solution. Proposition 2 is poorly written and could potentially cause harm to many Utahns and increases the likelihood of marijuana abuse.  I added my voice to the many others urging the people of Utah to Vote No on Proposition 2.

I just received the language of the compromise bill for my review and will write more about it after I have thoroughly reviewed it.

For now, let me be clear. This compromise was made possible because opponents and proponents finally sat down and worked out a great policy plan to serve the people of Utah. I respect the positions of both sides, and I'm grateful they worked together to find a position that works for all sides -- everyone.

I am disappointed in the level of divisiveness, anger, attacks and lack of civility from both sides that has occurred over the past few months around this and other issues. We the people of Utah are greater than this, and the fact that the key players of this issue finally sat down and did the hard thing -- finding and determining the correct policy -- proves we as a people and as a state can accomplish great things. We've done it before, we are doing it now and we will do it again and again in the future.

I am eager to move forward in this direction. The people who can benefit the most are now looking at weeks instead of months or even years of uncertainty before receiving the benefits of marijuana.

​Whether you vote for or against Proposition 2, please vote. Either way, please join me in supporting this new bill. And encourage and push our federal elected officials to change federal law on marijuana from a schedule 1 to a schedule 2 drug. At the federal level, marijuana is against the law -- an unenforced law. Let's get it changed.