Iowa Legislative Leader: Marijuana Legalization Should be an FDA Decision

April 10, 2015
johnhollon
Iowa, Policy & Legal
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Iowa House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, who has years of professional experience as a cardiology nurse practitioner, said Thursday any decision on legalizing medical marijuana should be determined by the federal Food and Drug Administration, not state lawmakers.

“If this is a legitimate medication, it really means the FDA needs to weigh in on this issue. That is what we do with other medications. I think that makes sense,” Upmeyer told reporters at the Iowa Capitol.

Upmeyer, a Clear Lake Republican with a master’s degree in nursing, was joined by House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, who made it clear he believes the medical marijuana issue is dead in the House.

“I don’t expect us to debate a bill on medical cannabis this year,” said Paulsen, a Hiawatha Republican. [Read more at the Des Moines Register]

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