Iowa Rx Board to Take Input on Medical Marijuana
As Iowa’s legislators consider whether to legalize marijuana for medical use in the state, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is seeking additional information as it considers whether to recommend that lawmakers support the measure. The board recently postponed its vote on the matter until February 17 to allow time for residents to weigh in and for those comments to be considered, according to a report by the Des Moines Register.
Board members reportedly have been swamped with comments on the matter. Executive Director Lloyd Jessen said the board has received 12,000 pages of written comments its members have yet to review. A vote by the board was initially slated for December, after residents had their comments on the issue heard during numerous live hearings throughout the state. The majority of remarks during the hearing were in support of legalization for medical purposes.
If the measure passes, Iowa will join 13 other states that permit the use of medical marijuana for patients with conditions such as cancer and glaucoma. Legislators are set to vote on the issue before their slated adjournment on March 31, giving them 6 weeks to mull over the board’s recommendation. For other articles in this issue, see:
Top 10 Health Innovations of 2009
Americans Living Longer Thanks to Better Health
