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Gov. Terry Branstad says he plans to meet today with the parents of Iowa children with rare diseases who are seeking a narrow legalization of medical marijuana, but he is not making any promises to support their initiative. The families, who have been lobbying the Legislature on the medical cannabis issue, asked Branstad if he would hear their concerns. The governor said Monday that he agreed to visit with them, just as he has met with survivors of breast cancer and other diseases. "I will meet with them and listen to them. I also have concerns about protecting the public against abuse from controlled substances," Branstad told reporters.
Branstad said he wanted to make it clear he has empathy for the families, who have children suffering from seizures they say can't be controlled with drugs currently legal in Iowa. They are proposing that state lawmakers allow the use of a liquid form of medical cannabis with a doctor's permission. This medical cannabis would not be smoked and is nonpsychoactive, the families said. Twenty states have legalized medical marijuana. But Branstad said he wants to make sure any initiative in Iowa to address the issue doesn't result in unintended consequences. The issue needs to be addressed in a thoughtful and careful manner without creating problems of drug abuse for people who are not suffering, he added.
Maria La France of Des Moines, one of several parents who organized the meeting with Branstad, said that other states are leading the way on the issue and Iowa needs to provide the same options. Her son, Quincy, suffers from epileptic seizures. La France also said Iowa is not included among 16 states that have decriminalized possession of cannabis. "Risk of criminalization is hardship caregivers and patients already dealing with tragedy should not have to face," she said. State Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, who is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for governor, announced plans last week to draft a form of legislation to make medical cannabis available for epileptic patients who suffer from conditions that can result in up to hundreds of seizures per day. In addition, a bipartisan group of 10 legislators has introduced a Senate resolution seeking an interim legislative study on medical marijuana that would be completed prior to the 2015 legislative session, which will convene next January.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Desmoinesregister.com
Author: William Petroski
Contact: Contact Us | Des Moines Register
Website: Branstad to hear pitch for medical cannabis
Branstad said he wanted to make it clear he has empathy for the families, who have children suffering from seizures they say can't be controlled with drugs currently legal in Iowa. They are proposing that state lawmakers allow the use of a liquid form of medical cannabis with a doctor's permission. This medical cannabis would not be smoked and is nonpsychoactive, the families said. Twenty states have legalized medical marijuana. But Branstad said he wants to make sure any initiative in Iowa to address the issue doesn't result in unintended consequences. The issue needs to be addressed in a thoughtful and careful manner without creating problems of drug abuse for people who are not suffering, he added.
Maria La France of Des Moines, one of several parents who organized the meeting with Branstad, said that other states are leading the way on the issue and Iowa needs to provide the same options. Her son, Quincy, suffers from epileptic seizures. La France also said Iowa is not included among 16 states that have decriminalized possession of cannabis. "Risk of criminalization is hardship caregivers and patients already dealing with tragedy should not have to face," she said. State Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, who is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for governor, announced plans last week to draft a form of legislation to make medical cannabis available for epileptic patients who suffer from conditions that can result in up to hundreds of seizures per day. In addition, a bipartisan group of 10 legislators has introduced a Senate resolution seeking an interim legislative study on medical marijuana that would be completed prior to the 2015 legislative session, which will convene next January.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Desmoinesregister.com
Author: William Petroski
Contact: Contact Us | Des Moines Register
Website: Branstad to hear pitch for medical cannabis
