Despite a recent poll which showed 58% of Iowa voters support medical marijuana legalization, a bill to legalize medical marijuana was killed by the Iowa Senate earlier this week.
The bill was killed due to concerns over public safety as well as possible unauthorized use by minors.
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, who chaired a subcommittee considering Senate File 79, said after the meeting that it’s apparent the proposal doesn’t have enough support to win the full Senate Human Resources Committee’s approval.
The bill was approved by the subcommittee on a 2-1 vote with Bolkcom and Sen. Jack Hatch in support. But Bolkcom said he won’t press the issue further in the Senate because there aren’t enough votes to pass the proposal in full committee. The measure was opposed by Sen. Joni Ernst who told how she must undergo drug testing as a National Guard member because of safety issues related to drug use. She expressed concerns that medical marijuana would ultimately end up in the hands of minors.
Bolkcom acknowledged that the Iowa Board of Pharmacy has voted in the past to propose legislation that would reclassify marijuana and make it easier to legalize the drug for medical purposes. State law currently lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug which has almost no legal purposes.
A number of medical marijuana users were present at the hearing and shared their stories, but they unfortunately did not compel Bolkcom to push the proposed measure further.
The proposed medical marijuana bill would have allowed patients with qualifying conditions to receive a prescription from a doctor for medical marijuana. The bill also would have established dispensaries throughout the state.
[Source]
smokenthingz said on Mar 7, 2013
go to the people, get signatures to have a law put on the ballot. vote out those senators who are anti…its really simple. there are way more of US, we have the power to vote out the corrupt, biased and ones that do not stand for the WE the PEOPLE.
iHydroEyez said on Mar 8, 2013
No shit this is Garbage, if the maj. or the ppl who agree then its OBVI not about public safety. get the stick out of your Ass Iowa
spkavyo said on Mar 8, 2013
Which system works better to keep marijuana out of the hands of children. A legal dispensary where you must show your license as well as your medical marijuana card and must be 21 to receive your mmj card or a dealer on a street corner who doesn't care if it is a kid he's selling to as long as they have the money.
Elvers said on Mar 14, 2013
bypass all the ass holes get you signatures and put it on the ballot and vote