Utah lawmakers giving up on state oversight of dispensing of medical cannabis

Utah lawmakers are giving up on a plan to have the state oversee the dispensing of medical cannabis.

Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers says the state is moving back toward a private dispensary system originally proposed in the medical cannabis initiative voters approved last year.

Vickers says a bill will be introduced at a special session that will eliminate state control of dispensing the drug.

Instead, the number of licensed private dispensaries in Utah will be increased from seven to 12.

The decision came after several Utah district attorneys said county health departments should not be involved in the distribution of a drug that is still illegal on the federal level.