Thread by @BenWinslow

The #utleg's interim committee is hearing about implementing medical marijuana legislation passed earlier this year, and the potential impact of the ballot initiative. @fox13 #utpol

.@UTagandfood is up, saying implementation of some provisions of ballot initiative may be difficult ti implement if it were to pass. They also have some concerns about bills #utleg passed. @fox13 #utpol

.@braddaw throws out there that ultimately, CBD will be available over-the-counter at Walgreens, but maybe not under the ballot initiative. @UTagandfood says it doesn't have ability to check labs to ensure "best practices" in the initiative. @fox13 #utpol

.@UtahDepOfHealth also throwing water on the ballot initiative, raising questions about security, protected health information, testing, training, etc. The speaker is going VERY fast. @fox13 #utpol

.@LincolnFillmore says there may have been some arguments there against the initiative, but he asks what things can the #utleg do to implement the will of the people, should it pass. @UtahDepOfHealth insists it is NOT taking a position on medical marijuana. @fox13 #utpol

Funding and time to create the systems, is basically @UtahDepOfHealth's response to @LincolnFillmore's questions. Legislation likely needed on dispensaries. @fox13 #utpol

.@steveeliason asks if medical cannabis would be on the controlled substance database? @UtahDepOfHealth speaker says it's silent. Rep. Eliason says wouldn't it by default wind up on the database anyway? @fox13 #utpol

.@braddaw asks if @UtahDepOfHealth anticipates problems with rollout, should initiative pass? "Yes," he responds.

Rep. Ray asks if federal $$ is jeopardized because of medical marijuana? He's unaware of that (noting other states already have it). @fox13 #utpol

Utah Chiefs of Police Association and Utah Sheriffs Association begins by saying they're not endorsing or opposing initiative, but giving the #utleg information.

They say cops will have difficulty distinguishing between legal and illegal cannabis. @fox13 #utpol

Cannabis can be used in a public place in the event of an emergency, Chief Ross says. He asks what constitutes an emergency? He also expresses concerns about timelines including people possessing it before cards are available. @fox13 #utpol

Chief Ross also raising concerns about what constitutes a residential area, the ability of people to grow their own, out of state people, etc.

"Hopefully we can approach it from the position of the officer on the street," he says. @fox13 #utpol

.@UtahDPS talking about "ingesting and driving" and Utah metabolite law. The agency wants clarification. They also raise concerns about transporting potentially hundreds of pounds of cannabis under the initiative. @fox13 #utpol

Administrative Office of the Courts rep tells #utleg committee medical cannabis can create an affirmative defense, which is something courts are well accustomed to dealing with. @fox13 #utpol

The language of the initiative doesn't present any particular problems for the courts. @LincolnFillmore wonders if some people won't be prosecuted if initiative were to pass? Difficult to know, courts rep says, because they don't know who is using medical now. @fox13 #utpol

How many prosecutions does Utah have for marijuana possession? In 2017, there were 756 marijuana cases in district court. In justice court it was 6,894, courts rep tells the #utleg committee. @fox13 #utpol

.@cboyack representing the @utahpatients has been asked by the #utleg to respond. @LincolnFillmore asks if there are real implementation issues with medical marijuana that could be addressed or "is everything fine because it's written so darn well!" @fox13 #utpol

"We recognize the #utleg has an interest in ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place," @cboyack says, adding @utahpatients has been doing outreach to make fixes if they need and reach consensus. @fox13 #utpol

.@cboyack says @utahpatients is not tied to a timeline, if it's being done in good faith. But they do not want regulators to take years to implement what voters have approved. @fox13 #utpol

"There is just as much problems with the bill that this legislature passed as the initiative," @cboyack says.

He's now refuting some claims state agencies have made, including dispensaries are subject to spot inspections. @fox13 #utpol

.@cboyack going down the list, concedes that an "emergency use" could use definition. Prop. 2 makes it clear a person must have an ID card and the container is coded/tagged to dispensary. @fox13 #utpol

"Advocates and patients are happy to engage in discussions," @cboyack says.

@steveeliason says he's seen some info claiming opioids could be reduced 25% as a result of medical marijuana.

@cboyack says it comes from JAMA of medical-only cannabis states. @fox13 #utpol

Discussion over. @fox13 #utpol