Proposition 2 support weakens as Election Day nears

SALT LAKE CITY — A poll released from the Hinckley Institute shows that support for medical marijuana Proposition 2 has fallen since the release of a “compromise” bill unveiled by the governor’s office.

Among those identifying themselves as “very active” members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and polled by the Hinckley Institute, “strong support” dropped from 25% to 11% for Proposition 2.

Earlier this month, The Deseret News released a poll that showed support for Proposition 2 was “somewhat” or “strongly” supported by 64% of those polled. In the Tribune-Hinckley poll, support for medical marijuana expansion under the proposition had dropped to 51%.

The numbers show a stark contrast from earlier in the year, a Salt Lake Tribune poll from January found that about 3 out of 4 voters supported the initiative, now as support has reached an all-time low, supporters are mounting increasing pressure on lawmakers to reject the compromise bill set to be on stage during a special legislative session after the midterm election.

Medical Marijuana’s Outlook

On October 4th, the Governor unveiled in a press conference, alongside supporters of Proposition 2 and opponents, a compromise bill in what Governor Herbert considered a “shared vision” for medical cannabis in the state. The announcement came weeks following the Church’s announcement to join a coalition with the leading opponent organization Drug Safe Utah but the Church says it will support medical marijuana, but not under the current proposition.

In the compromise bill proposed, physicians would be required to prescribe cannabis and would require pharmacists to dispense the medication either via a state central fill pharmacy who would then send it to local health departments for distribution or five state medical cannabis. The bill would also require a warning label to be placed on the medication that states that cannabis has “intoxicating effects” and “may be addictive”.