Politics

Utah Senator Tries First Edible: ‘Everybody, Mellow Out’

Published on October 24, 2018 · Last updated July 28, 2020
Utah state Sen. Jim Dabakis wanted to see what the fuss was about. So he tried a couple edibles. Meh. It was okay.

Here at Leafly, we’ve seen far too many elected officials make cannabis policy without knowing the first thing about cannabis. Which is why we were absolutely delighted to see Utah state Sen. Jim Dabakis walk the walk this week before he talked the talk.

“I decided to come to Las Vegas and see what all the folderol was about.”

Dabakis, a Democrat who represents Salt Lake City, decided that he wanted to know what it felt like to enjoy a little cannabis. Utah voters, after all, will be asked to approve or deny the legalization of medical cannabis on the Nov. 6 statewide ballot.

So, said Dabakis, “I decided to come to Las Vegas and see what the whole folderol is about.” Dabakis traveled to Vegas on his own dime (not the taxpayers’) and purchased some infused gummies at the NuLeaf store a few blocks east of The Strip.Find Cannabis Near You“I have never tasted, eaten, smoked, shot up marijuana in my life,” he said, “so when I use it, I’ll be like a first time, because that’s what it is.”

Jim, if you’re using the phrase “shot up marijuana,” that’s pretty much as good as a bona fide gets. Because nobody “shoots up” cannabis. That’d be like snorting vodka or wearing a shoe as a hat. You can do it, I suppose, but why would anyone want to?

Dabakis purchased some gummies on Sat., Oct 20. He tasted a couple, and presumably enjoyed his weekend in Vegas:

Until this moment, I was a marijuana virgin. Ending that now. At least one legislator ought to try the stuff before we change the law!

Posted by Senator Jim Dabakis on Saturday, October 20, 2018

Two days later, on Mon., Oct. 22, Dabakis posted a follow-up video. “I am fine,” he wrote on Facebook. “I survived the gummy.”

“I’m healthy. I wouldn’t suggest shooting up marijuana to anybody. But I’ll tell you. I think it’s a lot of ho-hum. I think the reefer madness crowd, you guys you need to try it. It’s not that big a deal. I felt a little high, you know, a little bit, OK— but it didn’t change my life. So. Everybody. Mellow out. Recognize that this is nothing to be afraid of. Because the people that are terrified by it seem to be the people who have never tried it!

Follow-up from Las Vegas week-end. I am fine. I survived the Cannabis Gummy Bear! And, I have an opinion

Posted by Senator Jim Dabakis on Monday, October 22, 2018

Utah voters will decide the fate of medical marijuana in their own state on Tues., Nov. 6, when Prop. 2 appears on the ballot. Leafly will cover the action in a special live Election 2018 page and videos that evening. We’ll see you then.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
Bruce Barcott
Bruce Barcott
Leafly Senior Editor Bruce Barcott oversees news, investigations, and feature projects. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and author of Weed the People: The Future of Legal Marijuana in America.
View Bruce Barcott's articles
Sign up for more Leafly news

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App Store
Download Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play




* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2024 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.