Iowa Lawmakers Warming to the Idea of Medical Marijuana

Iowa might get medical marijuana after all.

Legislation to allow Iowans access to medical cannabis appeared dead despite support from high-profile Iowans, including West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gear and his wife, Sally, whose 24-year-old daughter, Margaret, has a rare form of epilepsy their physicians say might be better managed with medical marijuana, which is already legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

The Gaers and others spoke at the Iowa Capitol in February to urge support of legislation filed by Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, to legalize and regulate medical marijuana, but it was declared dead moments after it was filed, the Des Moines Register said.

It’s still a longshot for this session, but legalization of medical cannabis is gaining traction, the Register said.

House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said Iowans have an open mind about cannabis to treat some of Iowa’s most medically challenged citizens.

“The discussion has risen to a different level or changed appreciably this year. People want to know more about it. People want to be educated about it,” said Upmeyer, a cardiology nurse practitioner.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said the scientific evidence of the pharmaceutical benefits of medical marijuana is “pretty solid.” He’s doubtful legislation legalizing pot for medical purposes will succeed this year, but thinks the open discussion this year is a springboard for action in the 2015 session.

“I think it is pretty clear that there are some diseases — seizure disorders, epilepsy, people going through chemo — where it is clearly an appropriate treatment,” Gronstal said. “Some legislators understand that and some still have resistance.”

It’s not clear whether Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad would sign legislation legalizing medical marijuana. His spokesman aid the governor thinks the state need to move cautiously on medical marijuana given that it is still illegal at the federal level, the newspaper said.