DES MOINES – Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.
“Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City. “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”
In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.
“We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”
The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.
“An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said. “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done. The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”
The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.
“The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes. “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”
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I have known Republican leadership in Iowa is corrupt, since they rigged the primary against Ron Paul.
It is absolutely unconscionable that marijuana products remain illegal in Iowa, given the overwhelming evidence of medical benefits and the complete lack of evidence of long any cannabis products causing any long or short term harm.
The list of “approved” ailments is laughable and appears to lack any advocacy by qualified people who support this and instead appears to be based on ignorance.
However, complete legalization, like a growing number of states, is the thing we should be fighting for.
i think kim is getting paid to throw this thing. shes doing everything she can to make sure people dont vote republican next time we choose a governor. between her trying to give the state to dems and des moines anti american unconstitutional gun laws this state is fast tracking to become another liberal shithaven, republicans need to get their heads out of there ass. ill move my family to missouri or something if iowa goes democrat i think most intelligent adults will. after des moines gets mag cap bans and whatever other communist gun laws implemented and some douche liberal becomes gov. they will make the whole state an anti gun shithole filled with south and south central american immigrants no thanks. shithole to be.
The republicans must have their fingers in the drug companies cookie bowl.
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