Iowa Senate Human Resources Subcommittee holds meeting on S.F. 293

Last week, Iowa took an important first step toward protecting the seriously ill. But for the state to take another step it's essential that lawmakers hear from their constituents. On Tuesday, March 10, the Senate Human Resources Subcommittee held a meeting and heard riveting testimony on SF 293, legislation that would protect medical marijuana patients from criminal sanctions and create non-profit compassion centers that can distribute medical marijuana to qualified patients. Thank you to all of the patients, doctors, and advocates who showed up to support the bill and testify.

This is the first time since 2005 that medical marijuana legislation has been introduced in the state, and the first time an effective bill has had a subcommittee meeting. Please help us change history by urging your senator to support this comprehensive medical marijuana bill and asking your representative to sponsor similar legislation.

The subcommittee members — S.F. 293 sponsor Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City), Sen. Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines), and Sen. Merlin Bartz (R-Grafton) — heard informative and emotional testimony from at least 15 patients and advocates. Although a few members of the public expressed concerns, no one testified against the bill. S.F. 293 was not called for a vote, and Senator Bolkcom kept it in the subcommittee in order to draft a perfecting amendment.

The meeting started a long-overdue discussion, garnering great press coverage, including this video. We would like to again thank all of you who came out to tell your stories.

Please use this time to contact your legislators to urge them to support compassionate medical marijuana legislation so that Iowa medical marijuana patients can live their lives without fear of prison.

After the bill has been amended, it will come up for another subcommittee meeting, and we invite everyone to come to Des Moines again to participate. While it is too late for S.F. 293 to pass the full Senate this year, we need your help to build the momentum over the coming months to prepare for the second year of the session in 2010.

All patients suffering from a condition that could benefit from medical marijuana, medical professionals, law enforcement, and clergy please contact me at NMamber@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help in passing this legislation.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. And please pass this on to friends and family in Iowa so that even more voices for compassion can be heard.