The General
New Member
A bill legalizing a certain form of medical marijuana has passed the Iowa House and Senate and now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad for consideration. Working into the early morning hours Thursday, the Iowa House passed the bill 75-20 with three amendments tacked on to the version passed several days ago by the Senate. The bill went back to the Senate and was approved with the new amendments by a vote of 38-8. The Senate passed the measure around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
The bill allows the use of the oil derived from the cannabis plant be used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy. The House amended the bill to limit the amount an Iowan can possess to 32 ounces - about a six-month supply. It must be obtained from another state that produces the oil. A written recommendation from a neurologist is required. The cannabis oil cannot be smoked and does not produce a high. It is given orally. Families with epileptic children gathered in the House gallery Wednesday night to watch the debate. The families are credited with changing the minds of many lawmakers who initially opposed the so-called medical marijuana bill. West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer said having to watch his daughter suffer multiple, intense seizures every week is heartbreaking. Margaret Gaer suffers from a rare form of epilepsy that causes violent seizures. She's tried more than a dozen different medications and so far nothing has worked. Gaer was there when the bill was approved.
"Get choked a bit because you want the best for your kids, and when you've tried everything and you think this may be the best, the only solution left, you know. It's pretty humbling to think that maybe you've found something that might help your children," said Gaer. Branstad has not indicated whether or not he will sign the bill, saying only that if the legislature sends him a bill, he will give it careful consideration. State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City said in a statement after legislative approval, "I urge Governor Branstad to both sign this first step, and then encourage action to help other Iowans who would live better, longer lives if medial cannabis were legal in Iowa."
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Kcci.com
Author: Ryan Smith
Contact: Contact Us - KCCI NewsChannel 8 - Des Moines, Central Iowa
Website: UPDATE: Legislature passes cannabis oil bill | Local News - KCCI Home
The bill allows the use of the oil derived from the cannabis plant be used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy. The House amended the bill to limit the amount an Iowan can possess to 32 ounces - about a six-month supply. It must be obtained from another state that produces the oil. A written recommendation from a neurologist is required. The cannabis oil cannot be smoked and does not produce a high. It is given orally. Families with epileptic children gathered in the House gallery Wednesday night to watch the debate. The families are credited with changing the minds of many lawmakers who initially opposed the so-called medical marijuana bill. West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer said having to watch his daughter suffer multiple, intense seizures every week is heartbreaking. Margaret Gaer suffers from a rare form of epilepsy that causes violent seizures. She's tried more than a dozen different medications and so far nothing has worked. Gaer was there when the bill was approved.
"Get choked a bit because you want the best for your kids, and when you've tried everything and you think this may be the best, the only solution left, you know. It's pretty humbling to think that maybe you've found something that might help your children," said Gaer. Branstad has not indicated whether or not he will sign the bill, saying only that if the legislature sends him a bill, he will give it careful consideration. State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City said in a statement after legislative approval, "I urge Governor Branstad to both sign this first step, and then encourage action to help other Iowans who would live better, longer lives if medial cannabis were legal in Iowa."
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Kcci.com
Author: Ryan Smith
Contact: Contact Us - KCCI NewsChannel 8 - Des Moines, Central Iowa
Website: UPDATE: Legislature passes cannabis oil bill | Local News - KCCI Home
