Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2016 Source: Des Moines Register (IA) Copyright: 2016 The Des Moines Register Contact: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/99999999/HELP/40507010 Website: http://desmoinesregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123 Authors: Brianne Pfannenstiel and Joel Aschbrenner BIGTIME BUSINESS LEADERS BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL Some of Iowa's most influential business leaders are urging state legislators to pass a bill that would expand the state's medical cannabis laws. "Now is the time to help suffering Iowans and their families get legal access to this medicine, and we hereby call on Iowa lawmakers to debate and pass Comprehensive Medical Cannabis legislation this session," a letter signed by more than 90 business leaders and sent to lawmakers reads. Meredith Corp. CEO Steve Lacy, Principal Financial Group CEO Dan Houston, Bankers Trust CEO Suku Radia, Knapp Properties CEO Gerry Neugent, local real estate developer Bill Knapp and BelinMcCormick attorney Steve Zumbach are among the influential names attached to it. The full list of signers includes seven of the Business Record's top 10 most influential Des Moines business leaders of 2016 and spans several industries from banking and insurance to publishing and real estate. The legislation, House File 2384, would grant the state the authority to establish two growing facilities and distribute medical cannabis oil to individuals who suffer from intractable epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer. It is legal for Iowans with epilepsy to use cannabis oil following passage of a law in 2014. However, cannabis oil proponents argue that change was useless in practice because of a separate state law that makes it illegal to manufacture or distribute that oil in Iowa. Federal law also prohibits cannabis oil's transportation across state lines, making it illegal for Iowans to obtain the product. HF 2384 was introduced by Rep. Peter Cownie, R-West Des Moines, who said he brought the issue forward after hearing stories like those from West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer and his wife, Sally, who have a daughter with epilepsy. The Gaers have obtained cannabis oil for their daughter and say it's made a dramatic improvement. "For me personally, I'll be very disappointed for this legislative session if we don't get this bill passed into law," Cownie said. "From people coming up to me on the street with how supportive they are, around town, around my district, I think Iowans are ready for the change." Cownie's father, Jim, also signed the letter. The Cownie connection and Gaer's involvement may help explain the groundswell of support from business leaders. Jim Cownie, a powerful telecommunications and real estate businessman, is known for brokering deals and leading fundraising campaigns. He is currently leading the effort to wrangle $8 million to finish a stalled downtown YMCA aquatic center. As mayor of West Des Moines and a real estate attorney, Gaer also has deep ties with the local business community. The chief organizer behind the effort to coalesce business support, according to several local business leaders, was George Milligan, president of local construction firm The Graham Group. Milligan said he personally knows the Gaers and several other families that have struggled with epilepsy or other conditions they hope to treat with cannabis oil. It took about 10 days for Milligan to gather the list of supporters. It was surprising, he said, how well-versed business leaders were on the issue and how many wanted to back the bill. "I think it's just an indication of the quiet support for this issue and this bill," he said. Neugent, CEO of Knapp Properties, also knows the Gaers personally and said he has seen their daughter's condition improve thanks to the cannabis oil. Neugent called the bill "good humanity" and said families should have legal access to the substance. "To make people like that move out of the state or have to act contrary to the law to help their children who suffer from seizures or these other conditions just seems crazy to me," he said. Neugent acknowledged it is unusual to see so many business leaders - including many conservatives - line up behind a bill related to marijuana. But it was easy for supporters to understand the bill only provides access to a nonhallucinogenic substance already legal in the state, he said. An earlier version of HF 2384 would have given individuals with a far broader range of illnesses access to the oil, but lawmakers said they didn't think they could garner the support necessary to pass it. The bill has cleared the House Commerce Committee and is headed to the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Tom Sands, a Republican from Wapello and chairman of that body, said he has yet to decide whether the committee will vote on it. He said he is working to gather more information. "I try really hard to base my decisions on facts and research, and I want to make sure we do what's in the best interests of Iowans," he said. "You wouldn't see too many science or medical degrees out there in that chamber, so you've got to be really careful, I think." Rep. Cownie said he believes the bill would pass if it were put to a vote on the floor of the House. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. Upmeyer previously has said she believes the Food and Drug Administration is the final arbiter of what is a medication. Ben Hammes, spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad, said the governor prefers not to speculate on pending legislation. "We will monitor proposed updates to medical cannabis in Iowa but will reserve judgment until he sees something in its final form," he said in a statement. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom