“The amendment specifies that the Iowa Alcohol and Beverage Division, which regulates alcohol sales in Iowa, would regulate marijuana for adult use,” Bolkam said in a statement accompanying the legislation. “It also establishes a state tax rate not to exceed 20% on retail sales and a tax rate up to 2% for local communities and counties that allow retails sales.”

Not everyone is in favor of passing the new law.

Sen. Brad Zaun said legalizing recreational marijuana use is only a focus of State Democrats to overshadow any plans more pressing issues in Iowa.

“Gimmicks like a constitutional amendment on recreational marijuana do a better job of illustrating the lack of ideas Senate Democrats have to solve the problems of Iowans than any response I have. We will continue cutting taxes, supporting law enforcement, and empowering parents in their children’s education. I have no intentions of advancing this bill out of the Judiciary Committee.” [Read more at weareiowa.com]