Thor Benson / Cannabis News Box Contributor

A group of cannabis opponents is suing to stop medical cannabis legalization from appearing on Utah’s ballot in November, claiming the proposition violates religious freedom. The lawsuit claims the proposition violates the religious freedom rights of Walter J. Plumb, a landlord and member of The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, because it wouldn’t allow him to discriminate against medical cannabis users. His religion does not allow the use of mind-altering substances.

One of the groups involved, Drug Safe Utah, already sued to stop the measure earlier this year and failed. Cannabis advocates in the state say this is just another attempt to find any way they can to stop a legitimate ballot measure.

“We don’t feel that the opposition, in this case, Drug Safe Utah, has much of a case,” DJ Schanz, campaign director of the Utah Patients Coalition, told Cannabis News Box. “Like the first lawsuit that was thrown on us, they lack standing and the case is not ripe, regardless of how flimsy the case is.”

Opponents of the proposition argue the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Colorado baker who refused to serve a gay couple from earlier this year, where the court ruled in his favor, is precedent here. What they fail to see is that the Supreme Court did not decide if it was okay for that baker to discriminate because of his religion when they reached their ruling.

“Tenants shouldn’t be discriminated against their medicinal cannabis use any different than they should be allowed to be discriminated against with the use of any other medicine. Once the people of Utah decide on medicinal cannabis’ legality, it should be treated no different than any other medicine,” Schanz said. “Over 60% of active members of the LDS faith supported our modest ballot initiative reforms. So most Mormons support our reforms. Secondly, we think that language like this is extremely problematic and embarrassing for most members of the Mormon faith. Should a landlord be able to throw out a tenant because they drink coffee in their apartment because coffee is forbidden according to Mormon doctrine? It really is an ugly slippery slope.”

Schanz said he’s met with thousands of medical patients who don’t want to be treated like criminals any longer. He said they just want to relieve different kinds of pain and suffering, which one would think people of faith would support.