Utah Legislators at WSU to Debate Medical Marijuana

OGDEN, Utah — A panel of four state representatives will weigh the potential benefits and disadvantages of medical marijuana during a discussion Oct. 28 at 12:30 p.m. in Weber State University’s Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge.

The panel will be made up of Utah Reps Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville; Edward Redd, R-Logan; Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, and Paul Ray, R-Clearfield.  The government reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune, Robert Gehrke, will moderate the panel and take questions and discussion from the audience.

“We wanted to include a wide range of thought,” said Jessica Hastings, president of WSU Democrats. “We will have Democrat and Republican opinions as well as law enforcement and medical.”

Dallin Cottle, president of WSU College Republicans, believes the topic of medical marijuana will only become more pronounced in Utah.

“It is important for students and community members to understand the implications surrounding medical marijuana,” Cottle said. “I hope students will form an educated opinion based on our event and discussion.”

Last year, the Legislature approved Froerer’s bill allowing the use of cannabis extracts to treat epilepsy.

“The epilepsy community in Utah is so thankful for medical cannabis and cannabis oil,” Hastings said. “But what about people who don’t have epilepsy? Cannabis has been shown to improve health in people with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, endometriosis and chronic pain.”

Even if students disagree, Hastings said she wants to encourage everyone to voice an opinion.

“Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, your vote matters, and your voice matters,” Hastings said. “I’ve seen elections where people lose by 42 votes. With the number of people we have on campus, our college could determine the outcome of an election.”

This event is sponsored by the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, WSU Democrats and WSU College Republicans.  It is free and open to the public.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For a high-resolution photo, please visit the following link:

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/October-2015/i-qgMnN2b/0/XL/IMG_8532%20%281%29-XL.jpg

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

Contact:

Jessica Hastings, president of WSU Democrats
801-626-6206 • jessicahastings@mail.weber.edu

Dallin Cottle, president of WSU College Republicans
801-626-6206 • dallincottle@mail.weber.edu