The Drug Policy Project of Utah recently took the pulse of candidates on legalization of medical cannabis and reduction of opioid overdoses, two issues that appear to be intertwined.
Early this summer, the nonprofit DPP of Utah sent its 10-question digital survey to candidates seeking state and federal office in an effort to inform voters about their positions on drug reform priorities.
Turner Bitton, board president for DPP of Utah, said they received 52 responses, each of which is posted on the organizations website.
Christine Stenquist, a Kaysville mother of four challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Stewart Barlow in the House District 17 race, is one of several Democratic candidates who replied to the survey.
During the 2016 legislative session, Stenquist fought hard for legislation that would legalize the use of whole plant cannabis for medical purposes. But the comprehensive bill she backed – Sen. Mark Madsens SB73 – ultimately died in the House Health and Human Services Committee a few days before the session ended.
For Stenquist and many others, the battle for medical cannabis is personal. Since 1996, shes lived with remnants of a brain tumor, and the effects of prescription opioids rendered her largely housebound and bedridden. But in 2013, she found relief and was able to reclaim an active lifestyle by vaporizing cannabis.
In her response to DPP of Utah, Stenquist detailed her support for a medical cannabis program in Utah.
I believe that the safe and legitimate medical uses of cannabis should be available to Utah doctors and patients to alleviate the suffering of various conditions where studies show it would have a positive impact, Stenquist said.
When it comes to reducing opioid overdose deaths in Utah, Stenquist said she would provide first responders with naloxone, a medicine used to treat narcotic overdoses in emergencies. Shed also beef up prescription drug monitoring programs and increase funding for better treatment programs.
These measures should also take place as part of a broader conversation about criminal justice reforms to treat addiction as a health issue rather than viewing drug use as a solely criminal issue, Stenquist said.
IS CANNABIS MEDICINAL?
Barlow, R-Fruit Heights, could not recall receiving the DPP of Utah survey, but weighed in on medical cannabis during a phone interview.
A physician by profession, Barlow said it makes him nervous for the Legislature to push policy outside the established Food and Drug Administration and without the blessing of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
They do not recognize cannabis as medicine, so I have some real concerns about that definition, Barlow said.
Barlow also voiced concern about the impact of marijuana legalization on youth.
Im not in favor of just opening the door. If you legalize marijuana and claim its for health reasons or just do it for recreational, its all part of the process, Barlow said. Its the legalization that changes the perception of our kids, and thats what is driving up the use.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 25 states – along with the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico – have approved comprehensive medical marijuana and cannabis programs.
While an abundance of anecdotal information and peer-reviewed studies exist regarding the benefits of medical cannabis, the Utah Medical Association (UMA) believes those lack the scientific rigor required for drugs physicians would prescribe to their patients.
In mid-October, UMA Chief Executive Officer Michelle McComber cautioned against medical cannabis legislation currently being drafted for the 2017 legislative sesson.
Our concern is labeling this medical marijuana at this point in time. It has not been approved by a recognized organization like the FDA … and has not been shown to be a medicine, period, because it has not been proven to be efficacious in treating a particular diagnosis or illness, McComber told members of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee on Oct. 19.
McComber noted her organization would support research but nothing else.
We do not want to skirt this process, as this is a public safety process, McComber said, noting that without the appropriate research, doctors would be at a loss to know what to prescribe, how much and to whom.
Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, was the only Republican candidate in Weber and Davis counties to respond to DPP of Utahs survey.
A family physician, Ward said part of his private practice includes treating patients who have become addicted to opiates.
I prescribe Suboxone, so I see a lot of the negative effects of narcotics … I am spending a lot of my time right now on legislation that I hope will reduce the number of high-risk narcotic prescriptions that are written, Ward said in his responses to DPP of Utah. He also said he would support the creation of a medical cannabis program with certain restrictions and conditions.
Suboxone, also known as Buprenorphine, is an opioid certain doctors prescribe in low doses to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Kurt Weiland, a Bountiful Democrat who challenged Ward in the House District 19 race, also responded to DPP of Utahs questions.
A retired U.S. Army officer who taught at West Point, Weiland also supports a medical cannabis program in Utah.
The medical needs exist, its there. You cant argue the facts, Weiland told DPP of Utah, adding he would also be willing to sponsor drug policy reform measures.
Too many of our policies are based on ignorance and fear-mongering. But any reform has to be based on the public will, and education is critical to changing preconceptions. Leaders have to lead. Educate. Advocate, Weiland said.
POLLS: MANY UTAHNS FAVOR MEDICAL CANNABIS
According to a recent Utah Policy poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, 63 percent supported legalizing medical cannabis in Utah, while 77 percent opposed legalizing recreational use. Another poll conducted by the organization for The Salt Lake Tribune and the Hinckley Institute of Politics reported 58 percent of Utah voters somewhat or strongly approved of medical marijuana legalization.
Alan Yorgason, the Democrat running for the open state Senate District 20 seat against Republican Gregg Buxton of Roy, responded to the DPP of Utah Survey in support of a medical cannabis program. He acknowledged such issues are personal, having lost a family member to a drug overdose.
My feeling is that such a program could provide a much safer relief to those suffering from certain illnesses that are being currently treated with dangerous, expensive and addictive drugs, Yorgason said.
Buxton, who represented House District 12 from 2003 to 2008, did not respond to the survey and could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Lisa Nichols, community benefit behavioral health director for Intermountain Healthcare, presented data to members of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee in October, which show Utah ranks fourth in the nation for prescription opioid overdose deaths. Since 2001, such deaths have surpassed overdose deaths from illegal street heroin in Utah, and in 2014, the state averaged one opioid-related death every day.
Rep. Kay McIff, who chairs that committee, said members can further discuss pending drug policy measures during their Nov. 16 meeting.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Utah Candidates Share Stances On Medical Cannabis, Reducing Opioid Overdoses
Author: Cathy McKitrick
Contact: 800.651.2105
Photo Credit: Matt Herp
Website: Standard Examiner
