Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jun 2010
Source: Daily Nonpareil, The (IA)
Copyright: 2010 The Daily Nonpareil
Contact:  http://www.Nonpareilonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3234
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Our Position: Lawmakers ducking responsibility on medical marijuana

After more than a year of study, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy in 
February unanimously recommended that the Legislature legalize 
marijuana for medical uses. The board also called for lawmakers to 
change the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug.

In announcing its decision, the board noted that a decades-old piece 
of Iowa law already appeared to allow that, but members said the 
intent of the law was unclear.

Under current definitions, Schedule II drugs, like those categorized 
as Schedule I, have the potential for abuse but also have accepted 
medical uses. Schedule I drugs have no currently accepted medical use.

At the time the decision was announced in February, there were 14 
states with medical marijuana laws although regulations in New Jersey 
hadn't taken effect at that time. The board's recommendation made 
Iowa's the first state pharmacy panel to take such a stance before 
either legislators or voters took steps to legalize marijuana for medical use.

The board's recommendation called for the Legislature to create a 
committee that would propose how to administer a medical marijuana 
program in Iowa. The panel would include people who use marijuana for 
medical reasons as well as representatives from the Board of 
Pharmacy, other health boards and public safety organizations. 
Pharmacy board members suggested they preferred the medical marijuana 
regulations in place in New Mexico.

"What the Board of Pharmacy feels is important is that this isn't 
just a one-group issue, but that we need to bring in all other 
disciplines and the patients," Susan Frey, a board member and 
pharmacist said in February.

Now, four months later and looking down the road at what promises to 
be a contentious election season, Iowa lawmakers have called off 
plans to have a committee study the legalization of medical 
marijuana, saying such a decision could be made by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy noted Monday that an old state 
law says the board may set the rules, so there's no need for a 
committee. The Des Moines Democrat says the ball is in the board's court now.

The board's executive director, Lloyd Jessen, said Monday that the 
board doesn't want that responsibility and needs direction from 
elected leaders.

The ball - or should we say the marijuana hot potato - is back in the 
Legislature's court ... and, with relatively few votes to be gained 
but a lot to be lost, it appears lawmakers don't want to deal with it.

They sought office to make decisions, and it's time to do the job for 
which they were elected.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom