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EXCLUSIVE: Marijuana to be legalized in Utah?

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Updated: 9/28/2010 2:30 am | Published: 9/27/2010 6:42 pm

Reported by: Chris Vanocur

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Rocky Anderson (ABC 4)

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A California ballot measure to legalize marijuana is now ahead in the polls.

This has one of Utah's most prominent and outspoken politicians saying, someday, the drug will even be legal here in Utah.

Ten years ago, when the Democratic National Convention was meeting in Los Angeles, Rocky Anderson made headlines.

There, he gave a passionate and controversial speech.

In it, he said the war against drugs wasn't working.

But in that summer of 2000, the man who was then Salt Lake’s mayor, stopped just short of saying marijuana should be legalized.

Anderson (August, 2000): "People who posses it and might smoke a joint once in a while, they could be cited."

Since then, more than a dozen states have approved the use of medical marijuana.

Also in California, there is now Proposition 19.

It would allow adults to have an ounce of pot and even a 25 square foot ganja garden.

The sale of marijuana would also be taxed.

A poll released Sunday, shows Prop 19 passing by a seven point margin.

Anderson told ABC 4 news Monday,

"To put people behind bars for possessing or smoking pot is absolutely absurd. It would make more sense to put people behind bars for smoking cigarettes."

10 years ago, Anderson was criticized for saying America's drug laws need to be changed.

He felt – and feels - that they were expensive and ineffective.

Not only does Anderson think he was right then, he now says the way things are headed, pot will someday be legal all over the country - even in Utah,

"I think someday the people of Utah will take a good look at this and say this doesn't make sense anymore."

While he wouldn't or couldn't say it a decade ago when he was mayor, Monday we asked Anderson whether he is now willing to say, yes, pot should be
legalized?

To which he replied,

"Yes, I think marijuana should be legalized."

Now, in case you're shaking your head and saying, well, there he goes again...

Anderson reminded us that for years he said private clubs should be abolished and, that in 1996, he came out in favor of gay marriage.

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AustinG - 11/15/2011 2:36 PM

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drug use it self is less of a problem than what the laws against them create! I seen on TV a 17 yr old girl all most get shot by two cops because she had marijuana among other drugs in her mouth! A cop could have taken a life over that really! and at that point the drugs where safer than the cops with GUNS wow wtf that's scary not to mention the high legal problems/Damage that these laws create! police drug gang shoot outs, higher crime, inflated drug prices prohibition creates and screws up any chance for a career or descent job. Americans Buy drugs from the government and the government makes money from made up terrorism when it's us supporting it and the cartels equipped with USA made firearms. the U.S. profits this way taxes are being pay'd to screw ourselves, disease & Death rate would go down if this drug war ended. Utah law needs to change along with federal laws of many kinds. since when did profit get but before the people this isn't the america I learned school as a kid, I thought the government was here to make an easier living for us all as a one global! but that seems to not be the case. time for a government that serves us the people! our mother the earth and our father the sun lets put out differences aside and try to love everyone and live our lives in a free world people wake up! we need to stop all this fighting and start realizing! that these laws against all drugs among other things (guns) and machines designed for one purpose killing, are more harmfull than drugs them-selves quite makin a big deal about it. then it's not such a big deal anymore AND more people will seek help (hard drugs) cause it won't mess with there ability to work, get work or actually get "help" without picking up a drug charge (felony drug charge) or not or a bullcrap court fine or jail where nothing is learned, more people could get help without screw'n them selves cause if one wants to use they are going to no one can change them but themselves it is a personal choice!

Drum0501 - 11/12/2011 12:28 AM

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I honestly hope that something is done by legislation soon. Due to my pain and discomfort, I m contiously looking to move.to a state that wont make men and women in pain suffer. The world is going the wrong direction anyway, legalizing would be just like dropping the oxygen mask if a plane was going down. It simply numbs the passenger and oxygen gives your body a high, when this world is in debt to everyone, just help us in pain, legalize it, tax it. And let it fix the problems that legislation and government loans buyouts have done. I want a quality of life, and utah needs to realize prohibition stopped here first. Pilgrims and hemp farms, mormons had the upperhand. It would be rare to see crimes committed qhile on marijuana. make cigarettes illegal, marijuana is like a fruit or vegi. But with true medical benifits.

Xxdrum4637Xx - 10/22/2011 2:29 AM

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I have anxiety disorder, stevens johnsons syndrome, and depression. Constant back aches due to an accident. With sjs I'm allergic to paxil, levaquin, immitrex, azithromiacin, zithromax, and all ssri medications,(anti depressants) and also kidney stones frequently because I can't force enough fluids. No insurance and stress constantly along with panic attacks, I recently tried marijuana. Because meds are too expensive without insurance. And taxing high doses of xanax, gaba pentin and ambien make me more agitated or onery. Used to be a peace officer. This one medication, marijuana solves them all. Great rest, plenty of fluids. And no risks from side effects of other meds. Happy, no longer depressed and I can eat because I'm not stressed. It is natural. Just like an apple or peach. No fertilizers which can't be said for most produce. It gives me a quality of life that I never felt I had. Plus I focus on what needs to be. Done and clean my home and eenjoy my life with it. Utah needs to focus on the benifits not just the mormon beliefss. I am lds, only god will judge me. I am a better person with it in my life and its free. I just fear the legality, or doing time for getting caught. Peace on earth is possible with cannibis. Cause it truely makes everthing better. It should be taxed and regulated like alcohol, but should definitly be legal. The economy would actually get us out of the hole we are in and most likely fund schoools nationwide. And free inmate cells with actual criminals.

medicinalmike - 10/14/2010 1:50 PM

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Yes marijuana should be legal in Utah. We were one of the first states to prohibit, and the people of the state now seem to overwhelmingly agree that prohibition should be repealed. would love to debate anyone with opposing views, your getting harder to find. medicinalmike420@yahoo.com

grrizzk - 10/9/2010 11:38 AM

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I agree with repeal17tham all the way. I am not religeous, but if I was her/his point would deffently make me re-think my views. But as a cannabis smoker of around 5 years, most people aren't really willing to listen to my opinion because they assume I want it legalized so I can get it easier. Well yes that's exactly why I want it legalized, but most don't bother to find out why I smoke. As a 19 year old suffering with PCOS, almost constant nausea due to IBS, endometriosis, tendionitus, bi-polar disorder, cronic back pain and debilitating menstrual cramps, pain is a daily thing for me. The only thing that really works is if I take a loritab, and that makes me pretty loopy and sick most of the time.. Smoking cannabis is the closest I've gotten to a cure for my pain, and no side effects except munchies and occasional paranoia. Its pretty ridiculous that I have to sneak around feeling like a criminal and have the risk of being thrown in jail just because I want some pain relief. I am much more comfortable smoking marijuana then I am taking loritab or any other pain medication; it's much safer and doesn't have any bad side effects. It also dramatically helps with my mood swings and anxiety, making me feel better almost instantly. The stereotypes on cannabis smokers is also ridiculous! I may not be the smartest person out there, but I'm deffently not what people think of when they think "stoner" - I started college before I graduted, graduated high school with extra credits, and I'd like to think I'm a fairly intelligent individual. My father worked for ATK for about 5 years, is a substitute teacher at a college, and now owns his own busniness. So don't even try to tell me that all stoners are high school drop out hippies. I would like to say more but I don't have enough charaters left. I hope my oppinion makes even a slight difference. Either way, I'm going to continue to smoke marijuana every day. Good day to all!

xxgregory scxx - 10/7/2010 8:33 AM

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Im an iraq war veteran, i recently got out of the marine corps and moved to utah to attend college i use marijuanna illegally to deal with anxiety and honestly it has realy helped me but now its difficult for me to find a job due to the drug testing out here for most possitions. So im forced to either deal with my axiety as a result of my service to my country or take these narcotics that the doctors continue to perscribe to me. if anyone knows how i can get on board with medicinal marijuana, even if its a petition to be sighned im game email me xxgregoryscxx@yahoo.com

repeal17tham - 10/1/2010 2:28 AM

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Alcohol is legal in Utah. So should marijuana. I think it is stupid to smoke anything but ribs on a bbq, but it is just so obvious that marijuana should be RE-legalized. Most people don't know history so they say "legalize." Utahns don't like thinking though (esp when the truth goes against government). Joseph Smith and the Lord do not approve about the mindless government worship that goes on in utah. Medical marijuana does not violate the word of wisdom ONE BIT yet I always say that utah will be the 51st state to wake up and open their eyes to truth and reality, and finally allow medical marijuana (because a new state will be added to the union first and utah will still be last to do the right thing). Utah mormons CLAIM to support the principles of the founding fathers, but this is largely a lie. Most utahns actually don't. Even worse, most utahns don't actually support basic liberties. They supported GW bush's federal takeovers (of education for starters) and his massively unconstitutional laws such as the satanic "patriot" acts. Nobody swallowed the 9/11 kool aid better than utahns. Most utahns, including mormons are openly hostile to the truth and get VERY defensive around the truth. They usually only support truths that are part of a long standing habit. The most amazing evidence of this is how mormons whose ancestors practiced polygamy, go around bashing polygamy right and left and calling it evil. Incredible. Their own prophets have said that polygamy will COME BACK before the 2nd coming. They don't understand the principle because most utahns avoid truth. Polygamy is actually a superior family structure. Monogamous marriages are mostly doomed to divorce and most monogamous wives are on anti depressants because they're so miserable, but I digress. Actually, this ties into how most utahns don't support personal liberties (even though they claim to).

wowsyd - 9/30/2010 1:48 PM

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http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/59872/title/Not_just_a_high Find out the truth about Marijuana.

wowsyd - 9/30/2010 1:43 PM

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Joseph Smith speaking to us from a higher authority: D&C 89:4, 10-11 4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— ........ 10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— 11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. With the research being done on this herb we would be wise to legalize medical marijuana for our health and benefit. Also decriminalize Marijuana and reduce taxes. Budget cuts in local police, court and incarceration costs to the taxpayer. Legalize the growing of Hemp, the kind that doesn't get anyone high, which would be a great rotation crop as well as a new industry replacing much of the expensive and toxic plastic products we use. Uses include replacing paper products building materials from wood products the list is very long for it's uses. This would be a huge benefit for Business as well as those that would benefit Medically from this herb. Learn the truth about this plant that is a pharmacy of health and not a dangerous drug. Smoking and Drinking are dangerous drugs. Marijuana's side effect include mild euphoria and food cravings. Read the new medical research before rejecting the advice of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

DavidG - 9/30/2010 12:27 AM

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If marijuana had even a fraction of the negative side effects that are listed at the end of every pharmaceutical ad, no one would even be discussing legalization. No one bats an eyelash when someone blacked out on Ambien goes out and crashes their car. Or when acne medication leads to psychosis, or when they hear "in some rare cases, may lead to coma or death" at the end of an advertisement for some new pill. Yet... a naturally growing herb which has caused zero fatalities, has not been proven to cause permanent brain alteration, has practically non-existent withdrawal symptoms, can be used medicinally to treat nausea, stimulate appetite, and help with glaucoma and epilepsy remains illegal. The answer to that question lies in the first sentence. The key phrase here is "naturally growing" As in, does not need to be synthesized in a lab and sold in pill bottles through pharmacies yielding inflated profits for pharmaceutical companies. That's the true reason marijuana legalization has been so elusive. You can't make as much money off of medicinal marijuana as you can off of the pills they are selling right now. A Partnership for a Drug Free America is funded by pharmaceutical companies, tobacco companies and alcohol companies. This isn't some whack-job conspiracy theory, it's in the public record. Doesn't that make you feel manipulated? Those of you that support marijuana prohibition, to know that the driving forces behind keeping this plant illegal are fear mongering campaigns funded by the money grubbing legal drug companies who are afraid of competition? The arbitrary line between legal drugs and illegal drugs is just that, an arbitrary line.

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