Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Proposition 2 supporters that could bring both efforts to legalize medical marijuanaโProposition 2 and the replacement bill, H.B. 3001โcrashing down.
Anderson is asking Utahโs Third District Court to restore Proposition 2โs larger, market-led system that resembles dozens of other states and relies on a widespread private market to handle the illicit plant.
He argues the Legislature has taken too much power from the people. He also claims the Legislature does the bidding of the LDS Church, which he says has unconstitutionally โdominatedโ the process around the issue.
Anderson is working on a third claim that will target a vulnerable piece of the Legislatureโs law. He says the law forces state and local employees to violate federal law by working in cannabis facilities.
โThat to me is an absolute sure winner,โ Anderson says. โFor the Legislature to compel anybody to distribute cannabis is absolutely in conflict with federal law.โ
Anderson sent a letter in February to more than 100 county officials, searching for a possible plaintiff to join his case. It reads like a threat: โEvery dollar spent and every minute devoted to planning for the implementation of H.B. 3001 is an utter waste of precious resources because the law will neverโcan neverโbe put into operation.โ
Carol almost died last year in a car crash. She uses medical marijuana as part of her pain management plan while her shattered bones heal. The 48-year-old from Weber County fears sheโll lose her job if she uses her real name. So weโll just call her Carol. After the near-fatal car crash, her friends convinced her to try cannabis as part of her pain management plan.
Sheโs hoping sheโll be approved for surgery soon, but for the foreseeable future, Carol has been prescribed hydromorphone, a strong opioid medication. Cannabis productsโin her case, low-THC-level dropletsโhelp mitigate her need for the opioid and sheโs been getting them from Colorado.ย
โMy doctor said that it helps make me more sensitive to opioids so that I can use less. Iโve been using significantly [fewer opioids] since starting to use [marijuana],โ she says.ย
Carol is aware of the dangers of opioid addiction, and cannabis has helped her avoid it. But getting cannabis from Colorado is difficult and, right now, a legal liability. And as sheโs run out of her droplets, sheโs started to take more opioids again to deal with her pain.
Last November, in a state where conservative elected leaders have mightily resisted legalizing the plant, citizens fought to create a medical marijuana program through a ballot initiative. A majority of Utah voters passed Proposition 2, allowing certain people to use medical cannabis and authorizing the establishment of state-licensed and controlled dispensaries.ย
But then, state leaders and lawmakers quickly huddled to write aย new law to supplant the initiative voters passed.
The resulting bill is unlike any other medical marijuana program in the country. It strictly limits access to a centralized state distribution system for a small number of private dispensaries that the law requires be designed to function like pharmacies. You wonโt find any โbud tendersโ named Blaze behind a Utah cannabis counter.
Meanwhile, patients in limbo have been asking doctors to write permitting letters to shield them from prosecution. Carol says her doctor is on board with her cannabis use but is afraid of writing her a letter until Utahโs medical marijuana program is assembled. There are too many unknowns, and many doctors are afraid to get involved with the federally illegal plant.
Further muddying the picture, law enforcement agencies are scratching their heads over how to respond to a marijuana bust where the suspect claims medicinal purposes but has no way to prove it. And, the law already faces a legal challenge that threatens to make even more changes and possibly reinstate Proposition 2. (See sidebar: โRockyโs Way (or The Highway.โ)ย
These are the growing pains of a nascent medical marijuana program being rolled out by a reluctant state government. Patients are caught in the fog of uncertainty.
Without dispensaries in place under the new Utah Law, patients like Carol will continue buying cannabis locally the old fashioned way, through illegal dealers, or taking trips to neighboring Colorado or Nevada. On the return trip theyโll face the possibility of getting pulled over by the wrong police officer in Utah.ย
While it would have taken time for a program under Proposition 2 to get up and running, the citizensโ initiative was much less restrictive than the replacement law. Patients fear that even if and when the replacement law is up to speed their access will be limited. The Legislature called for seven to 10 private dispensaries in the entire state.ย Under Prop 2, it was to open eight privately run dispensaries in just Salt Lake County and at least one in every county in Utah. Arkansas, for example, has a similar population to Utah and allows 32 dispensaries.ย
But the new lawโs supporters say despite the hiccups itโs on the right track.ย
โEverybody wants the program to work,โ said Connor Boyack, an early Proposition 2 supporter and founder of the Libertas Institute, who later worked on the Legislatureโs replacement law. โWhatever issues may present themselves โฆ weโre confident that weโll be able to work through those issues as they arise.โย
Among cannabis advocates, so few outlets is a major sticking point.
โThere are supposed to be 7-10 dispensaries [and] they have to have a pharmacist on duty,โ said Christine Stenquist, founder of TRUCE, the group that supported Prop 2 but didnโt agree to a compromise. โSeven dispensaries for a state this large is ridiculousโฆsome of these counties are really, really huge. Who can drive two hours round trip for medicine?โ
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If you've never been to @dokidessert, I can assure you- you're missing out. โ โ
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Doki Doki is one of Salt Lake Cityโs most authentic Japanese bakeries. And the authenticity shows through their delicately handcrafted pastries and cakes. Plus- fluffy pancakes, can it get any better? โ โ
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Check the link in bio for a fun little write up! โ โ
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Meet 9th & 9th's newest, cutest, tastiest "hole-in-the-wall" (quite literally)! @piefightslc is serving up delicious hand pies packed with flavor ๐ฅโ โ
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You can eat a pie and go for a walk at the same time- who knew?! ๐ฅงโ โ
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Check the link in bio for our little review!...
People used to say a group of hobbits smoked their pipe weed and padded around on their furry feet in this little cul de sac off 1300 East near Westminster. Others claimed a family of Little People lived there and would chase away outsiders and curiosity-seekers who happened in.โ โ
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But, actually, the eccentric street of tiny houses are on a wooded lot once owned by George Allen, a doctor and animal lover (he was instrumental in founding @hoglezoo and @tracyaviary) He and his family lived in the log cabin and rented out the little houses to students or anyone who wanted to live in such a small space.โ โ
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Check the link in bio for full story....
Our Jan/Feb issue is out on stands now! This issue means so much to us. Made with lots of love and tears. We hope youโll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it. โค๏ธ...
This is what our NYE looks like. Staying in with a @meat_my_cheese_utah charcuterie board โญ๐คค๐ฅโ โ
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Weโre incredibly lucky to have local culinary-craftswomen here in the Salt Lake area, like @mavenoakcreative and @meat_my_cheese_utah. Handcrafting each charcuterie board and box to perfection. Making every stay-at-home birthday, anniversary, date-night and holiday feel that much more elegant. โ ๐ง๐๐ฅโ โ
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Check the link in bio to meet Salt Lake's artisan charcuterie masters!...
Holding back tears, the owner of our beloved Himalayan Kitchen, Surya Bastakoti, told @fox13now that they "might go out of business" โ โ
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Himalayan Kitchen has long been one of our favorite local restaurants. A trusty go-to for lunch or after work drinks and a heart-warming dinner. A place to bring out-of-towners (veg and vegan friendly) for a special experience only found here in SLC. Always filling, with a true sense of nourishment in every bite. Food to feel good about.
EVERYTHING on their menu is full of flavor and authenticity. Himalayan Kitchenโs cuisine is required to be authentic because itโs a gathering place for the Salt Lake City Nepali and the local climbing community. They know Nepal.โ โ
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COVID-19 has completely devastated our local restaurant communityโthese are our friends and family. Help them out. If you have the means, order something yummy for NYE dinner and support Himalayan Kitchen or any of your favorite local restaurants. โ โ
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Go to saltlakemagazine.com and look in the Eat & Drink section for a list of what restaurants are serving and then make a phone call, order online, etc. โ โ
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Go to the link in bio to order online now!...
Here's one from our upcoming Jan/Feb issue out on stands in just a few days. We hope youโll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it.โ
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Mary photobombs Lisa Barlow at the premiere party for Real Housewives of Salt Lake. Below is a snippet from Mary's last editor's letter:โ
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"Itโs all a little crazy.โ
Sometime in 2020, the world stopped making sense for a lot of us. Between one of the ugliest election cycles the U.S. has ever been through and the most mysterious disease most of us have ever experienced, normal was canceled. We canโt get together with friends, hug our loved ones, be in the room with them when they die. But somehow we have to go on, right? Somehow we have to continue to work and love and laugh. This issue of Salt Lake magazine holds a lot of frivolity, the main one being an extremely silly TV show, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. There I am in a pink fur coat in a car with our cover housewife, Lisa Barlow and her boys."โ
Pick up our Jan/Feb issue at your local grocer and read the full letter. โค๏ธ
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Link in bio to subscribe....
Merry Christmas Eve-Eve. We absolutely loved seeing all of your gingerbread homes! Thank you for sharing!โ
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The winner of a 1 year subscription to Salt Lake mag will be announced in our story!...
Skip the milk and cookies this holiday and leave out something that Santa really wants ๐บ๐๐ โ
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Check out our local holiday beer round up for last minute gift ideas! Link in bio!...
Mary's last-minute holiday gift ideas from last year are still as true and relevant today...โ
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"The planet we live with and the creatures on it need all kinds of things. Polar bears need presents, tree frogs in the Amazon need gifts, our Utah canyons and our national parks need help."โ
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Check the link in bio for full write up....
๐ถOn the LAST day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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$100 to @slcharbor ๐๐ชโ๏ธ
Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @slcharbor on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
๐ถOn the 11th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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$100 to @streuselslc ๐๐ชโ๏ธ
Streusel Bakery located at 67 w 1700 s! Support local and get pastries, cookies and a little bit of sass at this beautiful judgement free bakery!
Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @streuselslc on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
๐ถOn the 10th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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1 Free month at Maven Create @mavencreate
Maven Create is a unique, open office space designed to inspire and empower!
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @mavencreate on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
๐ถOn the ninth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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1 box of @maddoughslc doughnuts for 4 weeks!! ๐ฉ
Weโre so excited to have teamed up with @maddoughslc for this awesome giveaway treat! Mad Dough launched back in April! Mad Dough serves up top quality Bismark style doughnuts with flavors inspired by favorite childhood treats ๐ The perfect gift to brighten someoneโs day (or brighten your own day)! Support this awesome small business this holiday!
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @maddoughslc on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
๐ถOn the eighth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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A beautiful essential gift set from the wonderful @acrelyfarms ๐ฟ
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @acrelyfarms on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
There was never a time there wasnโt Mary Malouf. Until now. Today, Mary died when a rogue wave swept her out to sea off the coast of Northern California. Only she โ perhaps the worldโs foremost lover of Bronte, BBC mysteries and, of course, Moby Dick โ would appreciate such poetic drama.
โI know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.โ โ Mary Brown Malouf. Ooops. Herman Mellville....
๐ถOn the seventh day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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โณ๏ธ (2) 9 Hole Rounds at @saltlakecitygolf ๐๏ธโโ๏ธโ
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @saltlakecitygolf on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winner announced in the story. see you tomorrow.
๐ถOn the sixth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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๐ฝ๏ธ $100 Gift Card to @la_caille_utah ๐ฅโ
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Located at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, La Caille bring us an upscale, French-Belgian restaurant experience.โ
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @la_caille_utah on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ ...
GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED. Winner has been announced in the story. See you again tomorrow!
๐ถOn the fifth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...๐ถโ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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๐ฝ๏ธ $100 Gift Card to @stonegroundkitchen ๐โ
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Stoneground Kitchen is a fabulous and local SLC restaurant that offers some of the best from-scratch Italian fair in the city and an excellent wine selection. ๐ทโ
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Here's the idea: โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @stonegroundkitchen on insta! โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
โญ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!โ โ ...