Iowa Wants to Allow Patients Access to Minnesota’s Medical Marijuana

Lawmakers in Iowa and Minnesota are discussing an arrangement that would allow Iowans to obtain medical marijuana oil from Minnesota dispensaries. Iowa legalized medical marijuana oil for seizure patients in 2014, however, patients were provided with access to marijuana.

House Speaker, Linda Upmeyer, said, “I don’t know if anything will get the support it requires to actually move forward, but we’re going to keep working on it.”

One road block is the federal scheduling of marijuana. As a Schedule 1 drug, according to reports from Twin Cities Pioneer Press, marijuana can’t be transported across state lines. The closest Minnesota dispensary to Des Moines is a 3-hour drive. Officials are having difficulties coming up with a strategy that would appease the federal government.

A registration system is being discussed where only those in the system could purchase marijuana oils, vapor products and pills. Minnesota allows patients to use marijuana products for 9 qualifying conditions. In order for this to move forward, Minnesota would have to make changes to its existing program and Iowa would have to make necessary arrangements with Minnesota as well.

The move may be on hold until 2017, according to Representative Nick Zerwas, who said, “It’s doing the right thing for patients that need medicine. If my neighbor needs help and I can help him, we oughta do that.”

Minnesota’s program is struggling to get started as it only has 3 – of 8 allotted – dispensaries open statewide and less than 1,300 registered patients.

Some want Iowa to improve their own medical marijuana program. Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis leader, Threase Harms, said, “I’m not sure Iowa legislators want to give economic development opportunities and potential state revenue away to the state of Minnesota.”

Republicans in the Iowa house have stalled any progress on the state’s own medical marijuana bill. Senator Joe Bolkcom, said, “It’s rather bizarre that Speaker Upmeyer is trying to cut a deal with (Minnesota)…and she’s not able to walk across the rotunda and work with other Iowans.”