MINUTES OF THE

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 30 House Building

Members Present:

Sen. Evan J. Vickers, Senate Chair

Rep. Kay L. McIff, House Chair

Sen. Allen M. Christensen

Sen. Luz Escamilla

Sen. Mark B. Madsen

Sen. Brian E. Shiozawa

Rep. Stewart Barlow

Rep. Melvin R. Brown

Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck

Rep. Craig Hall

Rep. Timothy D. Hawkes

Rep. Sandra Hollins

Rep. Edward H. Redd

Rep. Robert M. Spendlove

Rep. Norman K Thurston

Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Members Absent:

Rep. Paul Ray

Staff Present:

Mr. Mark D. Andrews, Policy Analyst

Mr. Gregg A. Girvan, Policy Analyst

Ms. Cathy J. Dupont, Associate General Counsel

Ms. Lee A. Killian, Associate General Counsel

Ms. Lori Rammell, Legislative Assistant

Note: A list of others present, a copy of related materials, and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

1. Committee Business

Chair Vickers called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. Rep. Ray was excused from the meeting.

MOTION: Rep. McIff moved to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2015, meeting. The motion passed

unanimously with Sen. Christensen absent for the vote.

2. Medical Marijuana

Ms. Dupont distributed a seven-page excerpt of "Medical Marijuana: Consequences of Conflicting Federal

and State Medical Marijuana Laws," by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, and

reviewed the legal implications of a decision at the state level to allow access to medical cannabis. Ms.

Dupont responded to questions from the committee and committed to bringing to the next meeting

additional information regarding S.683 - Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States

Act of 2015, which was recently introduced in Congress.

Sen. Madsen stated his reasons for sponsoring legislation legalizing the medical use of marijuana. He

recommended that committee members make a fact-finding trip to Arizona, where they can speak with

regulators, marijuana growers, patients, and others involved in the medical cannabis industry in that state.

Ms. Jessica Gleim, patient, described her facial paralysis disorder, the pain she suffers, and the lack of

relief she receives from traditional medications. She stated that the ingredients in medical cannabis alleviate

her pain, and she encouraged the committee to support the legalization of medical cannabis for all sufferers

of chronic pain.

Ms. Amanda Ellis-Graham, multiple sclerosis sufferer for more than two decades, described some of the

common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, how the disease has affected her life, and the many medications

she has tried and found ineffective. She stated that since she started using cannabis two years ago, she has

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July 15, 2015

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had more energy, more mobility, and relief from many of her symptoms. Ms. Ellis-Graham responded to

questions from the committee about the properties in cannabis that provide her relief.

Mr. Paul Hill, resident, Washington, Utah, presented "Medical Cannabis: Paul's Story." He described his

experiences with his infant daughter, who suffers from epilepsy, and his son, who suffers from cancer. His

daughter, he said, has benefitted from the state's legalization of cannabidiol, but his son, who is at increased

risk of developing cancer in the future, does not qualify for the use of medical cannabis. He responded to

questions from the committee regarding the effectiveness of cannabidiol in the treatment of his daughter's

seizures.

Mr. Benjamin Flint, epilepsy sufferer, spoke regarding the severe and permanent side effects he has

suffered due to his treatment with traditional medications. He stated that his symptoms continue to worsen,

and he does not yet qualify for the prescription of cannabidiol. Mr. Flint responded to questions from the

committee.

Sen. Madsen suggested the committee consider the toxicity of the alternatives to medical cannabis, the

benefit of medical cannabis to many patients in the state, and the importance of legalizing the medical use

of cannabis.

Dr. Edward B. Clark, MD, Chair, University of Utah Health Care's Department of Pediatrics, and Chief

Medical Officer, Intermountain Healthcare's Primary Children's Hospital, presented an update on studies

being conducted using cannabidiol for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in children. He made a

distinction between some of the various marijuana extracts, their sources, their ingredients, and their

effectiveness. He estimated that 1,500 children in Utah could benefit from the use of cannabidoil, though a

study at Primary Children's Hospital has enrolled only 25 children. He described preliminary findings of

the study. He described the nearly year-long effort required to set up the clinical study, due to restrictions

on cannabidiol, and other potential cannabidiol studies. Dr. Clark responded to questions from the

committee.

Chair Vickers introduced the next presenter and turned the chair over to Rep. McIff.

Dr. Kevin Sabet, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, participated

in the meeting via video. He presented "Testimony to Utah Legislature Health and Human Services Interim

Committee." Dr. Sabet reported on Colorado's experiences with legalization of marijuana, issues inherent in

the legalization of marijuana, and what he sees as responsible and irresponsible ways to legalize marijuana

components. Colorado's issues, he said, include increases in marijuana-related deaths and teen arrests, the

marketing of edibles to young people, and the increasing number of Coloradoans consuming marijuana on

a daily basis. He reported on studies of cannabidiol, specifically in its purified form. He pointed out the

dangers of acquiring cannabidiol from unreliable sources and with widely varying amounts of ingredients,

and advocated the use of a pharmaceutical grade product. He stated that federal legislation is needed to

allow compassionate use programs and more research. He recommended that Utah pass compassionate use

legislation with a sunset provision. Dr. Sabet responded to questions from the committee regarding the

extent of compassionate use. He referred to a report, produced by Smart Approaches to Marijuana, entitled

"Lessons After Two Years of Marijuana Legalization," which tracks some of the results of recreational

marijuana use in Washington and Colorado. He reviewed information from a report by the National

Institutes of Health showing an increase in emergency department visits related to marijuana use. He

indicated that he would send to the committee "Researching Marijuana's Medical Potential Responsibly: A

Six Point Plan," by Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Chair McIff turned the chair back to Sen. Vickers.

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Sen. Madsen clarified that his draft legislation would not legalize recreational marijuana use or in-home

cultivation, or create a "cash cow" for schools. He reiterated that Arizona is a better example than Colorado

of the outcomes of legalizing medical marijuana.

Mr. Connor Boyack, Libertas Institute, rebutted some of Dr. Sabet's comments and said that referring to

Colorado's experience is a "strawman." He noted that opiate overdose rates have declined in states that have

legalized marijuana use. He said that Libertas Institute will not advocate the legalization of recreational

marijuana use, but Libertas Institute won't oppose it either.

Dr. Sabet said that Colorado's legalizing marijuana use for medical purposes provides a cautionary tale. He

said that he would submit to the committee statements of the positions of every major medical organization

on legalization.

3. Adjourn

Chair Vickers reviewed the schedule for upcoming meetings of the committee and discussion topics.

MOTION: Rep. McIff moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen.

Christensen absent for the vote.

Chair Vickers adjourned the meeting at 11:06 a.m.