Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Passed by Iowa Senate
The Iowa
Senate voted Wednesday to pass Senate File 484, which would establish a comprehensive medical cannabis program that includes a system of state-licensed manufacturing centers and dispensaries.
Under the proposed law, the Iowa Department of Health would be in charge of regulating and licensing medical cannabis dispensaries and production centers, and would be required to license these outlets by April 1st, 2016. To have their application accepted, dispensaries must agree to open by July 1st of the same year
For an individual to become a medical cannabis patient in order to purchase from these outlets, they must have a qualifying medical condition and receive a recommendation from a physician. Qualifying conditions include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, HIVAIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, ALS, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain or any other chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its medical treatment approved by the Department of Health.
“Senate File 484 would create a safe, legal, affordable, effective, highly regulated way for Iowans and their families to access medicine made from cannabis,” says Senator Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City), the bill’s floor manager. “Sick and suffering Iowans are asking for our help. They are asking us because Washington, D. C., is broken”.
“The simple truth is that Iowa’s elected leaders are the only people who can help them and their families”, Bolkcom adds. “For many of these Iowans, their lives really are in our hands.”
Unfortunately the proposal would prohibit patients from actually smoking cannabis, meaning they’d be required to vaporize it, or consume it through infused products such as edibles and oils.
The bill is expected to have a harder time in the Republican-led House of Representative, where it’s been sent for consideration.
– TheJointBlog
Kay
I have a few of these conditions and have been anxiously (haha) anticipating this. The only thing that is unfortunate about this is that there areao many peoplr that have been trying this illegally to ease their aympology and are used to dozing themselves by smoking so moving to a new dosing method is going to be tricky. Personally., I would feel less likely to abuse this substance if I were to be able to smoke it instead of any other type of consumption as I can teack the consumption and gauge my intake a lot easier.
Kyle
Vaping it is alot healthier for you, and also will help more than actually smoking it.
Janet
I have waited 25 yrs for this too happen, I have fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I’m on a bunch of narcotics I would like to get off of.
Janet
I have waited 25 yrs for this. I have fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I am on lots of narcotics that don’t seem to work too well. I would like to get off all of them if I can vaporize cannabis i have heard that this works better than narcotics. I want to try it and get some sort of life back.
Anonymous
Fibromyalgia IS chronic pain!
irvin
I thank it is about time it is better then the pain pills god made it not man that’s all that needs to be said in god we trust
Anonymous
Isn’t going to pass this is iowa remember lol
Anonymous
I’m hoping this goes all the way!! Several years back, i was honest to a dr about it in a pain clinic. Thet then used it against me!! I’d signed a confidentiality contract. A couple of years later, i was hospitalized, the nurse brought it up asitwas in my file!
Derek
Interesting. Does this mean that there will only be wax available? Or are they going to have actual weed too? I’m confused. Or is it just one of those things where the gov’t says it’s illegal to do but everyone still does it anyway? (Referring to the statement that you can only vape)
Lee Ann
They won’t let you smoke it. it will be by a vaporizer, edibles or oils. I quit smoking cigarettes about 14 years ago. And I worried that if I were to smoke it, it might trigger my smoking desire. So I don’t want to smoke it. Edibles and oils are best.
Anonymous
When will everything be legal
David M
When American’s elect politicians with the courage displayed recently by elected officials in Uruguay. This may take a while
Michael
I have tremors, bipolar, severe anxiety, schizophrenia, Ocd and severe depression. Every day seems like hell. It is never going to get better and no matter how hard I try to keep my tremors under control, every day seems like it is never going to get better, really frustrating and no matter if I take my pills I tremble terribly to where I have to use a spoon for most everything I eat. Every day I take several pills, to try and keep everything going the right direction any more it don’t help like they should. I’m tired of taking pills. Taking the pills will eventually kill my liver. To me this is what Iowa need to look at! They’ll put a new pill out everyday with very little knowledge long term. We know weed is natural and has many uses to make it worth growing and supply!!! Help please
Jason
I have epilepsy an my pills suck an when i smoke it works an helps so much better im on two different kinds of meds an i still have them an it sucks. My doctor changes my doses all the time an it doesnt work an im at the max on both of them.
Tesa
I have a blood clot I’m my brain, 2 strokes. It’s hard to live day by day on my pills. I’m willing to give this a shot if it means no more heavy narcotics. Thank you for opening your eyes iowa.
Lyla Huss
I sooo totally agree with this and hope it becomes an option for chronic pain in Iowa! 21 years ago, i was in a auto accident and broke my neck. I’ve been thru physical therapy numerous times and take pain medication every day. Istill live in pain to the point it affects my quality of life! I have tried edibles, and it was 8 hrs of feeling pain free to the point i could enjoy myself without the nagging hip pain! Really hoping this goes all the way! Loved that 8 hours! Felt like “me” – cherishvthat day. No one should have to suffer and live on a bunch of pills that have bad side affects when there is natural relief available! No one should have to feel like a crminal to have oain relief!
Jennifer
I was in a car accident 8 years ago and broke my neck as well. I am only 32 and I will have to live with pain for the rest of my life. The relief from cannabis is something I wish people would understand.
Lyla Huss
Hooray!! A step in the right direction for cronic pain!
Lyla Huss
I’m hoping this goes all the way!! Several years back, i was honest to a dr about it in a pain clinic. Thet then used it against me!! I’d signed a confidentiality contract. A couple of years later, i was hospitalized, the nurse brought it up asitwas in my file!
zelda
How do u tell if this is real or fake info. I just don’t want to get my hopes up and not happen
TheJointBlog
Hi Zelda,
In the article we hyper-link directly to the bill, so you can read through it and follow its progress:
https://legiscan.com/IA/text/SF484/2015
It’s real 🙂