Marijuana Policy Project

Iowa talks heat up as 13 states have already legalized medical marijuana

Proponents to medical marijuana stepped closer to a green light last week when they scored a small victory. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy rejected a petition to reclassify the drug but did agree to series of public hearings on the issue from August through November.

"We'll be holding four hearings to look at the pros and cons of medical marijuana and to see if we will present it to the legislature," said Debbie Jorgensen, administrative assistant with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. "At this point, we’ve been hearing a lot of people who are in favor of it. But we've also received several phone calls and e-mails from people who are against it. I would say at this point though, the majority is probably for it."

The four hearings will be held in Des Moines, Iowa City, Council Bluffs and Mason City throughout August, September, October and November. The Des Moines hearing will be held Aug. 19 in the auditorium of the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St., from 1 to 5 p.m., but officials are looking into expanding the hours. Dates and hours are currently in the works for the other three sites.

Carl Olsen, leader of a group called Iowans for Medical Marijuana, is optimistic about the upcoming hearings.

"Whatever harm did marijuana do to people?" asked Olsen, 57, who plans to attend each hearing to network and build a stronger foundation for those in favor. "I’ve smoked marijuana before and I am fine. It’s not like the Swine Flu or anything. This is about a doctor and a patient and using it to help very sick people. That’s freedom."

Olsen’s effort to legalize medical marijuana dates way back. He was influenced when the drug was placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in 1972, representing that the U.S. government considered it to have "no acceptable medical use in the treatment of the United States." Dating back to 1996, marijuana use for medical purposes has been legalized in 13 states, including California, Colorado and Michigan. Legislatures claim that marijuana has beneficial uses like reducing back pain, muscle spasms, relieving nausea and increasing appetite for people suffering from multiple sclerosis, migraines, glaucoma and epilepsy.

"Medical marijuana has helped ease the pain of thousands across the country," Olsen said. "Discussions have been going well, so why not us, too?"

While there are plenty of views to legalize medical marijuana, there are opponents to the controversial drug. Many believe that medical marijuana is addictive, which may lead to harder drug use, damage the brain, interfere with fertility, impair driving ability, harm the immune system — all while sending the wrong message to youth.

"There are reports out there that say this and that, so that’s why it’s so important that we are having these hearings," Jorgensen said. "We’ll have a number of experts, doctors and law enforcement to present the data, and then we’ll go from there."

While the upcoming months may offer a glimpse of what is to come for medical marijuana in Iowa, Olsen is eager to see the outcome.

"The hearings will expose the lies that have been spread," Olsen said. "There is no proof of marijuana doing any of these things these reports indicate. If the Board does not pass it, it’s still a political issue — it doesn’t mean they are going to have the last say."