Pubdate: Tue, 05 Mar 2013
Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen (IA)
Copyright: 2013 Iowa City Press-Citizen
Contact:  http://www.press-citizen.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1330
Author: William Petroski

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL DIES IN SENATE

Pain Sufferers Urge Passage, but Measure Dies in Senate

A bill to legalize medical marijuana was declared dead Monday in the 
Iowa Senate because of public safety worries and the possible 
unauthorized use by minors, despite pleas from several marijuana 
users who told personal stories of how the drug had helped them.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, who chaired a subcommittee considering 
Senate File 79, said after the meeting that it's apparent the 
proposal doesn't have enough support to win the full Senate Human 
Resources Committee's approval.

A similar bill has also stalled in the House amid strong opposition 
from conservative legislators.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana.

A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll conducted in February showed 58 
percent of adult Iowans surveyed supported the legalization of 
medical marijuana while 38 percent were opposed and 4 percent were not sure.

Tom Rothwell, 55, of West Des Moines, who is retired from the 
financial services industry, told lawmakers he doesn't use alcohol, 
drugs or carbonated beverages. But after suffering a ruptured disk in 
his back, he experienced excruciating pain that required massive 
amounts of prescription pain medication. He said a friend heard of 
his plight and provided him with marijuana, which provided instant relief.

"I support the right of choice," said Rothwell, who added that he no 
longer uses marijuana. He urged Iowa's political leaders to have the 
courage to stand up for people who could benefit from medical marijuana.

Ray Lakers of Des Moines, who has multiple sclerosis, said anyone who 
opposes medical marijuana should be required to tell someone who is 
completely paralyzed or a war veteran that they can't use it.

"It is safer than prescription medication and it is more beneficial. 
I am living proof," said Lakers, a medical marijuana activist who 
plans to move to Colorado, where the drug has been legalized.

Marine Corps veteran Mike Niday of Des Moines, who has chronic pain 
from a construction injury as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, 
said marijuana allows him to have a normal life without the side 
effects of prescription medication.

But Chaney Yeast, coordinator of the regional child protection center 
at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, warned lawmakers of 
unintended consequences seen in states that have legalized medical 
marijuana. Marijuana usage rates among adolescents are higher than in 
states that haven't legalized medical marijuana, she said.

She noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes the 
legalization of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes.

"There hasn't been a state yet that has figured out how to do this 
without infecting our youth," Yeast said.

Steve Lukan, director of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, 
spoke of meeting with young people undergoing substance abuse treatment.

"Nine out of 10 told me their first drug of use was marijuana," Lukan 
said. He added that states that have legalized medical marijuana are 
reporting an increase in traffic fatalities related to people 
operating vehicles under the influence of marijuana.

Kevin Schneider, commander of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force, 
shared Lukan's concerns. He said he has been in direct contact with 
Colorado authorities regarding that state's medical marijuana law, 
which has resulted in "nothing but trouble."

The bill was approved by the subcommittee on a 2-1 vote with Bolkcom 
and Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, in support. But Bolkcom said he 
won't press the issue further in the Senate because there aren't 
enough votes to pass the proposal. The measure was opposed by Sen. 
Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak, who told how she must undergo drug testing as 
a National Guard member because of safety issues related to drug use. 
She expressed concerns that medical marijuana would ultimately end up 
in the hands of minors.

"What assurances does Iowa have that we are going to be any different 
from any of these other states" that have legalized medical 
marijuana, Ernst asked.

Bolkcom noted that the Iowa Board of Pharmacy has voted in the past 
to propose legislation that would reclassify marijuana and make it 
easier to legalize the drug for medical purposes. State law currently 
lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug which has almost no legal purposes.

Bolkcom said he understood the concerns of law enforcement 
professionals and he suggested that any program allowing medical 
marijuana in Iowa "would have to be extremely well controlled." But 
he added that he appreciated the willingness of supporters of medical 
marijuana to "step out of the shadows" to share their stories.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom