Mormon Church Joins Utah Coalition: In Utah, the Mormon church has sent out an email to its members urging them to vote "no" in an upcoming ballot to legalize medical marijuana.
The church is supporting the Drug Safe Utah's coalition against the November vote.
According to the email, the church believes that Proposition Two is "creating a serious threat to health and public safety, especially for our youth and young adults, by making marijuana generally available with few controls."
Mormon Church Joins Utah Coalition: What's Going On?
The ballot to change the marijuana law was approved in May after more than 150,000 signatures signed it, meaning, come November, Utah residents will vote over legalizing medical marijuana in the state.
The Mormon Church has been advocating against the measure since 2016 when it stated:
"Along with others, we have expressed concern about the unintended consequences that may accompany the legilization of medical marijuana. We have expressed opposition to Sen. Madesn's bill because of that concern."
Thursday's Statement
The issue isn't that the Mormon Church is flat-out against legalizing medical marijuana. Rather, it is "deeply concerned" that the ballot initiative is too permissive and does not have the proper restrictions or guidelines on marijuana use and this will pose a greater threat to the health of the community.
Thursday's email called for state officials to reach another solution:
"As a member of the coalition, we urge voters of Utah to vote NO on Proposition 2, and join us in a call to state elected officials to promptly work with medical experts, patients, and community leaders to find a solution that will work for all Utahns, without the harmful effects that will come to pass if Proposition 2 becomes law."
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Will the Mormon Church have an impact on the outcome of this ballot?
The reality is that Utah currently holds the largest population of Mormons within the United States. But on the flip side, according to a poll by law firm Dan Jones & Associates, 77 % of Utah adults support the legalization of medical marijuana in some manner.
Who knows which way this could go.
Featured Image: Deposit Photos/eric1513
