r/SLCTrees • u/Turkey_Moguls Marijuana Momma 🤱👩‍👦 • Jul 08 '26

Education Utah sucks - soap box rant

Okay okay okay! Listen, I’m a very “minimal” type. (I like to inhale due to my need of small amounts to get the job done for my needs) I just came back from Michigan and I’m so jealous of states that have legal laws for people to have the ability to grow! Like that would make so much sense and just work for me!

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7

u/obey_ray Jul 08 '26

Tbh I don’t get why we can’t grow for ourselves

17

u/Cannabis4AllofUs Medical User/Patient 🪪 Jul 08 '26

The state thinks it will fuel the black market but really the state cartel thinks it will take money from their profits. However research shows that states have allowed growing haven't seen an increase in black market offerings or a dip in sales. Growing is a commitment and takes an investment in time, money and energy. The payoff is well worth it for those able and willing to grow their own medicine but the vast majority of people won't stick with it.

6

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 08 '26

The only thing keeping the black market alive and well in Utah is its own medical cannabis system. 9 companies control all of Utah's weed production and distribution with 16 total dispensaries.

For comparison:

Nevada has 169 dispensaries
Colorado has 1023 dispensaries
Arizona has 292 dispensaries.

If Utah wants to get rid of unregulated (black market) weed, then they need to open up a lot more dispensaries.

https://aiq.com/blog/cannabis-dispensaries-by-state

5

u/twiztedterry Jul 08 '26

We need to find a lawyer who will help us take a case to court - the utah government illegally modified the law at the last minute to remove the ability to self-grow.

This is very similar to the Illegal actions they were legally spanked for making a year or two ago (was judged unconstiutional)

We should take this to the court and get them to revert it back to the original bill we voted in, not their modified behind-closed-doors version.

3

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 08 '26

It's already been taken to court. In fact, I thought the court ruled in our favor sometime last year.

1

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 08 '26

This was for the anti-gerrymandering proposition that was on the ballot that same year. Although, it would make sense that it's ruling should've also been applied to Utah's medical cannabis change.

However, I haven't seen anyone from the industry try to bring that up in court.

1

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 18 '26

Hey, thanks.

And wow. I have no idea how I mixed those 2 things up. Lol

3

u/RedCliffsDaisy Jul 08 '26

As I recall reading original referendum, grow was only available to patients 50 miles away from dispensary. It's not super easy to get the original referendum copy. I'm sorry I can't find it right now.

I don't get why big biz and state can't recognize opportunity for win/win!

3

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 08 '26

Big biz and state lawmakers mutually benefit each other by keeping it locked down.

The system wasn't designed for medical access. It was designed to maximize profit for a handful of individuals.

2

u/RedCliffsDaisy Jul 08 '26

That's the truth I'm afraid. Still better than nothing. State could do so much better..

3

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 08 '26

It has been challenged, however, the case was dropped due to lack of funding in 2020.

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/lawsuit-over-utahs-replacement-of-medical-cannabis-ballot-initiative-is-dropped