Pubdate: Thu, 20 Aug 2009
Source: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, The  (IA)
Copyright: 2009 The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Contact:  http://www.wcfcourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3510
Author: Charlotte Eby
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Iowa+Board+of+Pharmacy

MEDICINAL POT MERITS CONSIDERED AT HEARING

DES MOINES - A parade of Iowans touted the medical benefits of 
marijuana at a hearing before the Iowa Board of Pharmacy today, which 
is seeking scientific input on medical marijuana use.

Robert Manke of Des Moines told the board that using marijuana helps 
with severe nausea and pain from migraine headaches and the results 
of severe car accidents.

"I'm not here because I want to get high; I'm here because I want to 
stop being sick, and I want to stop being persecuted, and I need your 
help," Manke said.

The hearing in Des Moines was the first of four in the state meant to 
gather scientific evidence on the pros and cons of marijuana use to 
treat medical conditions.

At the conclusion of the hearings, the board could choose to make a 
recommendation to reclassify marijuana, allowing it to be used for 
medical purposes.  Any change would have to gain approval from the 
Iowa Legislature.

A total of 13 states currently have laws that effectively allow the 
use of medical marijuana.

Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield, is one Iowa lawmaker who is opposed 
to the idea of the state allowing medical marijuana and called the 
hearing a "ridiculous charade."

"This is the nose of the camel under the tent to legalize marijuana," 
Baudler said.

House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said recently he did not think 
support exists among majority Democrats for allowing medical 
marijuana use in Iowa.

Alan Koslow, a vascular surgeon from West Des Moines, asked board 
members to acknowledge marijuana as a treatment. Some pain 
medications he prescribes simply sedate patients enough so they can 
tolerate the pain, he said.

Gary Bellitt of Ames, who tested positive for HIV more than 20 years 
ago, told board members that using marijuana helps alleviate severe 
side effects of a strict schedule of antiviral drugs.

Bellitt said he was unable to comply with that schedule and by 1994, 
his health had declined to the point he was diagnosed with full-blown 
AIDS and went on disability.

He was able to counter the side effects of his drug regimen with 
marijuana, which helped the nausea, muscle cramps, pain, anxiety and 
insomnia, he said.

Bellitt's health improved, allowing him to go back to school and earn 
his degree at Iowa State University in 2005. He has a full-time job 
and is no longer on disability.

But he said complying with his treatment regimen in Iowa is more 
difficult than when he lived in California, which has legalized the 
medical use of marijuana.

"The only way I know to find marijuana is through the black market, 
and dealing with criminals is never a fun thing," Bellitt said.

Linda Lee O'Neel of Creston was one of a handful of opponents to 
medical marijuana. O'Neel spoke out against allowing medical 
marijuana "after having seen my friends get high" and cited articles 
detailing negative medical effects of the drug.

The pharmacy board's next hearing is set for Sept. 2 in Mason City.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake