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The medical cannabis advocates suing the state after Monday's passage of a Proposition 2 replacement bill are seeking to overturn that law, yes — but they also want to contest what they see as government overreach in muting the voice of the people in an election.
In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in 3rd District Court by former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, the heads of the Epilepsy Association of Utah (EAU) and Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE) accuse the Legislature of abridging the rights of voters in an effort to appease The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And they argue that the Utah Medical Cannabis Act violates the state constitution's provision for ballot initiatives by sweeping aside the plan approved by a majority of voters.
"For three years, we advocated on the Hill," said Christine Stenquist, president of TRUCE. "For two years, we've been in a campaign for the proposition. And when I saw it undermined so quickly on the first business day, I started to wonder: Is the initiative process in Utah just a suggestion box? Are our votes really meaning anything in this political process? How long do we just have to let politics happen to us?"
The state constitution vests legislative power equally in the Legislature and "the people of the State of Utah." Some of the architects of the Proposition 2 replacement law, however, say the lawsuit stands on shaky legal ground.
Previously: Mormon Church, Politicians, and Advocates Back Medical Cannabis Compromise in Utah
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Friday December 07 2018, @11:48PM (3 children)
Utah is poised to be the first state where pot is legal and alcoholic beverages effectively aren't. It will be interesting to compare with other similarish states where booze is legal but pot isn't, and of course with Colorado where both booze and pot are legal.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 08 2018, @12:12AM (2 children)
"There are four boxes to be used in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury and ammo. Please use in that order."
I hope the jury box succeeds.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 08 2018, @01:16AM (1 child)
Soap: free expression on the internet and electronic privacy are under attack.
Ballot: our votes do not meaningfully affect the policies our governments pursue. this news is only the latest example of that.
Jury: jury nullification has been nullified by the system.
Ammo: keep your eyes on France, GM, and Mexico.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 08 2018, @02:37AM
Is there any organization in the USA handing out FIJA pamphlets at courthouses? What happens if you do?