Time is ticking to get the bill amended before it's adjourned for the year
Senate are trying to revive efforts to expand the law that passed last spring.
Last year the Senate voted 45-5 for the broad bill which allowed many conditions to be treated with the medication, however before the end it hit stricter rulings which limited the kind of products along with who could use them.
Current efforts have also hit a stumbling block, but the Senate Ways and Means Committee have voted to move forward with an expansion Bill.
The main differences would be to lift the current THC 3% cap, allow doctors to prescribe and authorise the use to treat pain and any other condition that they see fit, rather than the current 9 conditions listed.
Supporters hope the revived Senate bill could lead to negotiations between Senate and House leaders in the waning days of the 2018 Legislature. When asked after the hearing if he’s optimistic a compromise can be reached with the House, Edler replied: “Only time will tell.”
House Speaker Linda Upmeyer has said she isn’t ready to make major changes to Iowa’s medical marijuana program. She wants to wait to hear recommendations from an expert panel that was set up under the law passed last spring. However with the panel not expected to meet until May it seems that the bill is running short of time.
h/t des moines register
image – pixabay
