Iowa’s Medical Cannabis Program Discussed at Public Hearing

Iowa Department of Public Health officials held a public hearing Tuesday morning to discuss the rules they have drafted to administer the new medical cannabis law.

The forum was organized to hear feedback from the community, which was attended by family members, caretakers and medical professionals from six different locations across the state.

Earlier this year, Iowa lawmakers approved a program allowing patients with severe epilepsy to have access to medical cannabis oil. The legislation, which took effect July 1, has been ineffective at providing children access to the oil because of the rules and procedures that state leaders have implemented.

Many advocates are pushing for a broader program, so that medical cannabis could be used as a treatment for other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and chronic pain.

The state law gives prosecutorial immunity to people in possession of cannabidiol, a non-smokable oil extract of cannabis with a low THC level, to treat severe epilepsy. However, the law does not allow cannabis oil to be produced in Iowa. Because of this law, Iowa residents are forced to obtain it from another state and would have to pass through states that do not have medical cannabis programs, breaking state and federal law in the process.

Deborah Thompson, the Department of Health’s policy advisor, said that her agency will review applications. Additionally, she said that officials hope to begin issuing registration cards before the end of the year.

Last updated: 8/28/14; 12:30pm EST