Panel OKs second Utah medical marijuana plan

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A panel of Utah lawmakers approved a bill that would allow tens of thousands of residents with chronic or debilitating conditions to consume edible pot products but bans smoking pot.

Members of the Senate judiciary and law enforcement committee voted 4-1 in front of a packed room and two overflow spaces need to accommodate those in attendance.

The plan, introduced by Republican Sen. Mark Madsen of Eagle Mountain, was the second marijuana proposal approved Thursday. Both will move to the full Senate, where they are expected to be debated within the next week.

Madsen’s proposal will face a key test when it goes before the full Senate for a vote. That’s where the measure died last year by one vote as his colleagues cited concerns that the proposal was rushed and could have unintended consequences.

Madsen argues Utah should join more than 20 other states that have passed medical marijuana programs.