Medical Marijuana Use to Get Hearings
Charlotte Eby
July 21, 2009
Quad City Times
DES MOINES - Medical marijuana advocates are cheering a decision by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Tuesday to hold public hearings around the state to delve into the pros and cons of medical marijuana.
The board is seeking scientific evidence about the use of marijuana for medical purposes and will take comments from the public at a series of hearings beginning in August and continuing through November.
The board is seeking input from medical practitioners, patients, caregivers, law enforcement officials, legislators, educators and others.
Board member Margaret "Peggy" Whitworth of Cedar Rapids said they will be looking for scientific evidence on medical marijuana.
"We are open to it, but we want to base any decision on science, not on hearsay," Whitworth said.
Hearings would be held in Des Moines, Iowa City, Mason City and Council Bluffs on dates yet to be determined.
The review by the board also could result in a recommendation to the Iowa Legislature based on the information gathered.
Last month, the pharmacy board rejected a request by marijuana advocates to remove the drug from its Schedule 1 classification to allow it to be used for medical purposes.
Carl Olsen, director of Iowans for Medical Marijuana, was one of those who wanted to reclassify the drug. He is encouraged that board members will look into the topic in greater detail.
Olsen said a stigma is still attached to speaking out in favor of medical marijuana but predicts people will come to the hearings to stand up for the issue.
"I think they're going to be surprised that a lot of people care about it and it's bigger than they ever imagined," Olsen said.
George McMahon of Livermore is enrolled in the federal government's medical marijuana program to treat spasms and nausea. He said other drugs given to him did not work, but marijuana did.
"It was a miracle cure for me, and I'm wondering how many more people out there are just like me," McMahon said. | 
