Mormon church leaders are calling for Utah lawmakers to pass medical-marijuana legislation by the end of the year even as they urge people to vote against a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana in the state. Gary Herbert, a Republican, said it's too early to gather lawmakers to consider an alternative to the ballot measure. The plan has been gaining steam in Utah as medical marijuana becomes legal in the most U.S. states. The church holds outsized political sway in its home state, but it remains to be seen whether the opposition will sink the ballot measure. In states where marijuana is legal for medical purposes doctors can only recommend its use and the marijuana is distributed by dispensaries.

Source: ABC News September 17, 2018 17:03 UTC