Title:
Iowa: Medical decisions should be left to medical professionals!
Message:
The House Public Safety Committee heard testimony on a bill hostile to medical marijuana
earlier today. Gov. Terry Branstad’s (R) bill, HSB 552, would reclassify
“marijuana used for medical purposes” as a Schedule I substance under Iowa law
— declaring it has no medical value. It would also strip the board of pharmacy
of its authority to establish
rules relating to medical marijuana. Please
email your legislators and urge them to oppose this bill. Medical decisions
should be left to medical professionals.
In
2010, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy voted to reclassify marijuana that is used for
medical purposes as a Schedule II substance under state law. While this change
made no difference in the availability or legality of medical marijuana, it was
a symbolic victory – a state board of pharmacy recognized the medical benefits
of marijuana. Unsurprisingly, a majority of this board are pharmacists. The governor
is not. Shouldn’t trained pharmacists – especially those appointed to the state
board by the governor – be trusted with making pharmacological decisions, not a
lifelong politician with no medical training?
Email
your state representative and senator, and ask that common sense prevail
over reactionary politics.
