Iowa Senate panel backs effort to expand medical marijuana access

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/iowa-senate-panel-backs-effort-to-expand-medical-marijuana-access/article_3f841bd2-c831-11e4-a640-d315b065eeb6.html

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 3:58 PM

DES MOINES (AP) — An effort to expand access to medical marijuana in Iowa won preliminary approval in the state Senate on Wednesday, as lawmakers seek to respond to critics who say a limited law passed last year is ineffective.

A subcommittee in the Democratic-majority Senate approved the bill, which would make medical marijuana available to people with a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Those approved by a doctor would then purchase marijuana products produced in Iowa at state-run dispensaries.

Last year, the Legislature approved a law that allows some residents with epilepsy to use oil with an ingredient derived from marijuana for treatment. But the law did not establish an in-state program for the production and distribution of the oil. Critics say that as a result, the law is effectively useless.

Advocates testified Wednesday that the proposal would help people suffering from illness. Lori Tassin of Des Moines told the committee that she wants to try medical marijuana as part of her cancer treatment.

FULL story at link.

[marym625]

1. Good!

I hope you can get some. Then at least you can be a little stoned sometimes.

I'm not a pot smoker. Never liked it. But if something can help you feel good enough to eat, can maybe calm you enough when the pain is just too bad or help you in anyway, do it to it, my good man. And maybe give Marta some too.