House Republicans are moving forward with a plan to expand Iowa's medical marijuana program, in part by partially lifting a cap on the use of the chemical that makes recreational pot users high.
A three-person panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would remove a percentage cap on the amount of THC that can be in medical cannabis, the oil derived from the cannabis plant. Iowa law prohibits smoking medical marijuana.
The issue over the THC cap — which is currently set at 3 percent — has been the ire of businesses in the state that manufacture and sell medical marijuana. Patients also say the limitation makes their medication less effective.