Iowa: Board of Pharmacy meets in closed session; House subcommittee meets on our bill

Published: February 12, 2010

Last week was a big week for medical marijuana patients in Iowa. Last Wednesday, a subcommittee of the House Human Resources Committee briefly discussed H.F. 2179, MPP’s model medical marijuana bill, which was introduced on January 28 in the Iowa House by Rep. Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City). This bill is a companion to S.F. 293, which was introduced by Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City) last year and remains in the Senate Human Resources Subcommittee. It was assigned to a subcommittee, and then reassigned to a different subcommittee this week on Monday. The House subcommittee will consist of three members, Human Resources Committee Chair Mark Smith (D-Marshalltown), Rep. Mascher, and Rep. Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield). Unfortunately, Rep. Baudler is known for his lack of compassion for Iowa’s seriously ill, having called the Board of Pharmacy hearings a "ridiculous charade."

In order to keep these bills moving, please send an e-mail to urge your representatives and senators to support these comprehensive medical marijuana bills.

Speaking of the Board of Pharmacy, the process that began last summer will hopefully come to an exciting conclusion soon. After a series of four hearings held from August to November in Des Moines, Mason City, Iowa City, and Council Bluffs, the Board of Pharmacy met in a closed session last Tuesday. They will deliberate again in a session open to the public, but closed to questions, next Wednesday, February 17.

When: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

Where: RiverPoint Business Park (new location)
400 S.W. Eighth Street, Suite E
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

What: The board will meet in an open session to deliberate on the question, "Should marijuana be rescheduled under Iowa law from Schedule I to Schedule II?" Attendees may observe the proceedings, but will not be allowed to ask questions or give testimony, as the record is closed. Unfortunately, the meeting is in a conference room, and thus seating will be scarce and available on a "first come, first serve" basis, and they will not be taking reservations. For the many who will not be able to attend the meeting, the board's decision will be released to the media as soon as it is reached on February 17.

If you are a patient, a loved one, a medical professional, or a member of law enforcement or the clergy who might be interested in speaking out, please contact us at state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help in passing this legislation. Please include your nine-digit ZIP code so we can identify your legislators, and please share your connection with medical marijuana.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this message on to other supporters, so that they too can speak out to protect patients who could benefit from medical marijuana.