Iowans Tearful at Legislative Defeat of Medical Marijuana Bill April 27, 2016 AggregatedNews Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Activists held a news conference at the statehouse today, visibly shaken by Monday night’s defeat in the House of a medical marijuana bill. Backers of medical marijuana say they are still hoping lawmakers will approve a bill legalizing its production… Read More→
Nearly 80% of Iowans Favor Legalizing Medical Marijuana March 2, 2016 AggregatedNews Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments More than three-quarters of Iowans now favor allowing people to use marijuana as medicine, but most remain opposed to legalizing it for recreation, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. Iowans have steadily become more comfortable with the use of… Read More→
Iowa Legislative Committee Approves Limited Use of Medical Marijuana February 18, 2016 AggregatedNews Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments A committee in the Iowa House has voted to legalize the limited growth of marijuana in Iowa for distribution as medicine to treat three conditions: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and end-stage cancer. It’s a scaled back version of legislation that was… Read More→
Medical Marijuana Activists Blast Inaction by Iowa Legislators June 4, 2015 John Hollon Iowa 0 Comments Medical marijuana advocates expressed frustration and exhaustion Wednesday, as the Iowa Legislature prepares to leave for the year without acting on the issue. The activists held a Statehouse news conference to criticize Republican leaders of the Iowa House, who have… Read More→
Iowa Lawmakers Squabble Over Allowing a Vote on Medical Marijuana Bill May 1, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments A debate over medical marijuana legislation is getting acrimonious at the Iowa Capitol, and is even spilling over into a fight over anti-abortion legislation. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, opened the bidding on Monday by declaring that House Republican legislative… Read More→
Iowa Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill, But Fate in House Is Doubtful April 16, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments The Iowa Senate voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for ailing Iowans, although the proposal faces strong resistance in the Republican-controlled House. "Sick and suffering Iowans are asking for our help," said Sen. Joe Bolkcom,… Read More→
Iowa Legislative Leader: Marijuana Legalization Should be an FDA Decision April 10, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments 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… Read More→
Iowa Democrats Move Ahead to Broaden State’s Medical Marijuana Law March 27, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Senate Democrats moved ahead Thursday with their plan to broaden Iowa's medical marijuana law, even though House Republicans reiterated their lack of interest in the subject. The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a bill that would allow Iowans to… Read More→
Hemp Oil Sales Start in Iowa, Despite Medical Marijuana Ban March 17, 2015 AggregatedNews Hemp Business Executive, Hemp Policy & Legal, Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Boris Shcharansky stresses that he's no outlaw. The Urbandale businessman is selling what he calls hemp oil — made from a plant that is closely related to marijuana. He knows his customers are using the oil to treat chronic ailments.… Read More→
Iowa Christian Leader Urges State Legislature to Legalize Cannabis Oil March 13, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Christian conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats urged lawmakers Wednesday to "finish the job" and create access to cannabis oil for Iowa families, but legislators remained skeptical it would happen. Vander Plaats, who is president of The Family Leader, said he… Read More→
Proposed Iowa Medical Marijuana Bill Would Greatly Expand Current Law March 4, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Iowa's new medical-marijuana law would be extensively expanded, allowing use for a range of chronic conditions besides epilepsy, under a bill introduced this week. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bolkcom, also would allow production and distribution of the drug.… Read More→
Poll Finds That Support For Medical Marijuana is Growing in Iowa March 2, 2015 John Hollon Iowa, Policy & Legal 0 Comments Iowans are warming to the idea of legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but most of them still don't want to make it legal for recreational use, a new Des Moines Register Iowa Poll shows. Seventy percent of… Read More→
Iowa lawmakers Considering Changes For Medical Marijuana January 21, 2015 John Hollon Policy & Legal 0 Comments Key Iowa lawmakers are pushing ahead with proposals to revise last year's law permitting marijuana oil for children with severe epilepsy and to consider allowing the use of marijuana for other medical purposes. However, it's not clear yet how much… Read More→