Lawmakers moving forward on medical cannabis distribution

Utah lawmakers are moving forward with a new plan to distribute medical cannabis to Utahn”s who need it.

During a special session yesterday, the House and the Senate both approved a law that will create 14 privately-run cannabis dispensaries and would allow for more if demand is strong enough.

State Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers joined the unanimous vote to modify the state's plan for dispensing the drug.

The new law eliminates a provision that would have required state employees to handle medical cannabis dispensing.

District attorneys in Davis and Salt Lake counties had worried that employees of local health departments could be arrested by federal law enforcement if they took part in the distribution plan.

Medical marijuana advocates do not believe the number of dispensaries allowed will meet statewide demand.

Desiree Hennessy of the Utah Patients Coalition feels the new law is a step in the right direction.