DES MOINES – Several members of the Iowa Senate today released an Iowa proposal for medical cannabis reform. If it becomes law, the legislation would allow Iowans who suffer from specific chronic diseases and are under the care of a doctor to purchase medical cannabis products produced in Iowa from licensed dispensaries.
“Last year, large bipartisan majorities in Iowa Legislature approved Iowa’s first medical cannabis program,” said Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo. “Unfortunately, that legislation has so far not helped a single Iowa family. Iowans deserve to have full access to the same medicines already available to the majority of all Americans. Twenty-three other states have shown this can be done in a responsible, medically sound way.”
Senate Study Bill 1243 expands the conditions eligible for medicines made from cannabis to eight. They include cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, AIDS/HIV, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, Crohn’s Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Once an Iowa doctor certifies that an Iowan suffers from one of these diseases, that person would become eligible to purchase medical cannabis products from dispensaries licensed by the state of Iowa. The cannabis would be grown in the state of Iowa by up to four private medical cannabis manufacturers licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Department would also establish a “Medical Advisory Board” of healthcare professionals which will provide oversight of the program and consider if additional medical conditions should be eligible for medical cannabis. (Bill summary)
“Like other medically useful drugs which can be abused, cannabis provides important, unique, and scientifically proven medical benefits to people with severe illnesses,” said State Senator Steve Sodders of State Center, a Marshall County Deputy Sheriff and former undercover drug investigator. “This legislation creates a secure, controlled way to provide medical cannabis to Iowans who need it. This proposal is a responsible and compassionate way to help ease pain and suffering and even extend lives.”
At the news conference announcing the proposal, several Iowans who would be eligible to use medical cannabis to treat chronic diseases discussed their situation.
Dotzler said he was optimistic the legislation would find bipartisan support in the Iowa Senate.
“Iowans are quite clear on this issue. They want their families to have the same access as other Americans to safe, effective, proven medicines,” said Dotzler. “Other states have shown how to do this responsibly and there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The only unanswered question before the Legislature is how long suffering Iowans will be made to wait before the Legislature allows them to get the medicines they need.
Senate Study Bill 1243 is exempt from this week’s legislative funnel. The senators plan to hold hearings on the bill and Sodders said he believes it could be passed this year.
“I’ve looked carefully at this issue and concluded there is no valid reason for me to prevent a family from having the medicines their child, spouse, parent, or grandparent needs,” said Sodders. “I’ve talked to legislators from both parties who feel the same way. If this issue comes up for a vote in the Iowa House and Senate, I believe we can pass it with solid bipartisan support.”
