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.”
VERY nice article, Jesse - I sure appreciate the effort you went to and hope you have a great holiday!
Much PEACE
Gradi Jordan
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.
Here's a typically stupid comment from another ignorant cop. He wants the FDA to provide evidence supporting marijunana's safety (look it up, dummy, it's there for you already) while completely ignoring the fact that the FDA has systematically approved who knows how many dangerous and deadly synthetic drugs that have harmed and killed people time and time again.
Weed has never killed anybody and never will, regardless of the dosage. Weed has never been proven to cause illness of any kind. To the contrary, it has been proven to alleviate many types of illnesses, not to mention providing for a nice, mellow high condusive to kindness.
Whatever, copper. Go suck down a few prozacs and pop a couple oxycontins, let me know that makes you feel. Oxycontin...talk about a gateway drug! Oxy today, heroin tomorrow. Just ask my buddy that has spent the past three years in prison how prescribed oxy treated him.
Tell me, oh wise leaders of our backward state, what FDA approved drug will do the following:
Provide food, clothing, extremely strong fibers, resins and paper; affix nitrogen in poor or abused soil, making it healthy and useable again; effectively prevent errosion at sensitive sites along rivers and other waterways without supplanting native plant species; alleviate nausea and vomiting and stimulate hunger in chemo and AIDS patients; act as a general analgesic; lower pressure in the eye, thereby providing relief for glaucoma sufferers; reduce tumors associated with lung cancer (oh yes, naysayers, just ask Harvard); promote the death of brain cancer cells; alleviate symptoms for those suffering with anxiety, schizophrenia, MS, tourettes and much, much more; and finally, provide a massive economic stimulus (a real one that actually works, unlike those that our moronic government has shafted us with) through taxes.
These are but a few examples of what can be done with cannabis and hemp. Whether you like it or not, great, blind leaders of Utah, it is time to put away your false moral superiority and accept that cannabis (and hemp) is the answer to many of our current social, medical, economic and environmetal sicknesses.
Thanks for the comment, Hay Duke - If you want to contact Senator Greiner or see any of the other comments I have received regarding legalizing medical marijuana in Utah - I have a Facebook page called Legalize Utah. Thanks again for the support!~
One of the problems facing anyone in Utah who wants to legalize marijuana for medical pruposes is the success of this movement in California. Recent news articles in the LA Times and SF Chronicle feature quotes by some of the movement's main activists admitting that campaigning for medical marijuana was simply the most effective way to legalize the use of marijuana. The majority of the residents of California know this and don't care. The majortiy of the residents of Utah also know this and care a lot. That's why this will be a very hard sell in Utah.
Hi my name is Jane I am 22 yrs. old and I have been suffering from Depression since I was 12 yrs. old. I have been diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety by my doctor legally. All of the medications I have tried are not working for me I have been switched to different one's and they are just making me feel absolutely worse or sick to my stomach (like vomiting which is not good). I have stopped all medications due to the side affects of taking the different pills I have also tried counseling. My depression and anxiety affects my everyday life and everyone around me. I believe that I would benefit from the use of Medical Marijuana if it were to be legalized in the state of Utah. I also believe that everyone else besides me that have been diagnosed by a Doctor legally with medical problem such as mine or any other medical problems that would benefit from the use of Medical Marijuana should be allowed to use it legally. PLEASE take my story and thoughts into consideration and Legalize Medical Marijuana.