Though most of Utah’s western neighbors now allow it, Utah’s grass-roots movement to legalize medical marijuana is still, well, just roots.
One activist and medical marijuana user has set out to push the movement forward, e-mailing each of Utah’s legislators in hopes of finding those who might support the cause. She hasn’t found even one supporter, much less a champion.
Each Republican that replied has been negative and one even referred to her e-mail as “spam,” while only one Democrat even bothered to respond.
Gradi Jordan, 42, of Taylorsville, has never been an activist, but medical marijuana is a deeply personal issue that is now prodding her to take political action. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 15, she’s had a lifetime of experience with psychoactive prescription drugs.
“I have been on pretty much every medicine there is for bipolar, from lithium to Seroquel. I’ve also had two years of ECT [electroconvulsive therapy] treatments where they blast your brain with electricity. Nothing helped. The only thing that keeps the moods even and keeps me on even keel is smoking pot or eating pot.”
Following a “break down” and hospitalization about four years ago, she received repeated ECT treatments, and as a side effect forgot how to read and type, skills she has since relearned. Though she had health insurance, another “side effect” of ECT was $250,000 in medical debt, which forced her into bankruptcy. She says marijuana is the only substance she now uses to treat her condition, and she feels, while not perfect, better than ever.
She’s also diabetic, and says marijuana’s ability to stimulate appetite helps her eat bland foods that keep her glucose in check, even if she might prefer something else.
Earlier this year, she helped organize Utah’s first chapter of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, but soon left the group over personality conflicts with other members. Now solo, she began her e-mail campaign in October.
In her e-mail to legislators, Jordan argues that marijuana can be effective in treating a variety of conditions, from cancer to multiple sclerosis, more cheaply and safely than conventional treatments. She also asks for their support of reforms.
But the paradigm shift happening in many states—13 now allow medical marijuana, while 17 other states have various marijuana reform bills currently under review, according to NORML—hasn’t hit Utah.
Ogden Police Chief Sen. Jon Greiner, R-Ogden, who referred to Jordan’s e-mail campaign as “spam,” wrote that he would never support medical marijuana until “the FDA gives me evidence that the 454 elements contained within marijuana are all safe.” He also wants evidence that marijuana is not a gateway drug.
Sen. Curt Bramble did not explain his opposition, but wrote, “I understand your passion and respect your opinion,” still, he “work diligently” to defeat any effort to legalize medical marijuana. Sen. Margararet Dayton, R-Orem, replied, “I am ditto w/Senator Bramble [sic].”
Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-West Jordan, wrote, “We [the Republican majority] also would most likely not vote to legalize tobacco in today’s society, were it not already legal.”
The only Democrat to respond was Salt Lake City Rep. Christine Johnson, who referred Jordan to federal representatives. In all, seven out of 29 senators responded, and just two of 75 representatives.
Utah House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, applauds Jordan’s effort, saying “that’s the type of civic engagement we need more of in this country.” He also explained Democrats’ near silence. “Legislators may feel or perceive a risk of coming out publicly on this issue.” Jordan noted in her e-mail—in all capital letters—that the lawmakers’ responses would be posted to her Facebook group, “Legalize Utah.”
Overall, Litvack said his party is willing to discuss medical marijuana legalization, but members need to meet with more interested constituents—privately at first—who can create the need for a real public policy debate.
“I think medical use of marijuana is very worthy of exploring and talking further about. I think a lot of [Democrat lawmakers] don’t understand the issue,” he said. “[But] it really took a very robust, grassroots movement to generate the energy to get it on the ballot [in other states]. I just don’t see that as a presence in Utah.”
excelleNt reAd, ValeNtiNes Day I fouNd myself iN tHe Salt Lake City Justice CouRt fightiNg for my rights to liVe for a siMilaR cause
Not giViNg up tHe fight
BoRn NoN~SytHetic aM I haVe CeNtRal NeRvous SysteM DiseAse, MotHeR of tWo cub
I would like comment on the "marijuana is a gateway drug" issue. First of all, that is not true! I there are any gateway drugs it starts with alchohol and tabacco! As a kid growing up in a very deddicated LDS family I never thought I would have drug addiction problems! I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 14. My father has multiple mental and psychialogical illnesses(manic depression,bipolar,pscytsophrinia,multiple personality disorder,etc.)I love my dad very much and would do anything for him! He has been through more treatment and hundreds of diffrent medications which only seem to make him sleepy and crave fatty foods so he deals with obesety! and that is not what he wants! I feel that Marijuana would be much more effective than these "crazy pills" (what he calls them) I have been raised by whom I consider the best parents in the world. I have good morals and a loving personality, thanx to them! Like I said before I deal with some mental issues of my own and addiction is truly one of the hardest to overcome! I spent 14 days in the I.C.U at McKay Dee Hospital due to alchohol endused pancreatitis! I came closer to death than I ever thought I would at the age of 27! I did not have insurence so my hospital bill was about $85,000 in which I am still trying to pay! I have not had a drink for 17 months. The use of marijuana has helped with the strong cravings to drink alchohol, and the head doctor of the I.C.U said that if I were to keep drinkng I would soon die! I had an alchohol problem that I thought I could control! I would drink a fifth of whiskey every other night! So I end with saying who ever says that marijuana is the gateway drug, well they can stick their head where the sun don't shine!!!
I to am Bi Polar. And those of us who out there are also Bi Polar we know it can be HELL. I dont like they crap they gave and give me.I feel like a zombie or feel like im on another planet.I am a single father living in utah and i dont like the fact that in order to help me with my condition i have to take stuff that makes it nearly impossible to care for my child little own my self.Pot is a "Mother" send from nature and i wold so like to see Utah get with the program.I just dont think the defense that "its dangerous or addicting'' is any kind of defense.Look at the crap they give you for pain treatment and ect.I mean Duh.
"it is better to treat people for health problems than to put them in jail" cannabis isnt half as harmful as 2 other legalized drugs ciggs & alcohol, plus all smoke contains carcinogens & tar. thats what vaporizers were made for. i am bipolar i have mood cycles that range from highs to crushing lows, i have health problems gallore i have 2 screws in my foot that messes with my knee & lower leg, it sends pain coarsing through my leg when it gets cold outside, i have back & neck problems. i have depression & anxiety that gets to the point where i dont eat sometimes. i have a rotating insomnia cycle that doesnt allow me to hardly ever sleep & when i do i heavily crash. i have severe add & mild adhd. i have tried plenty of medicines & prescription drugs & they all either make me sick or burnt out & faded in & out half the time.. the only substance that helps all of my ailments & dulls my pain & helps me sleep & eat is marijuana... yes of course i risk going to jail & having hefty fines for using this plant i have been wrongfully arrested & i have had negative responses from religious people, but it completely helps & there have been no negative physiological or mental side effects from what i can tell. i tell you these things because it might help shed some light, that it does help people out there & despite all of these negative thinkers about this plant (probably because the slandering campaigns in the past & the hype that it is a gateway drug) it is only a gateway drug because there is a demand for it & as long as there is a demand there will always be sellers.. legal or not.. drug dealers peddle this plant & push heavy drugs on teens when all they want is a good joint so the dealers can make more money.. i urge whoever reads this to send it to the right people in hopes that cannabis can be legalized under medicinal use so it can continue to help people & put violent drug dealers farther away from our teens