DES MOINES — Debate at the Iowa Capitol over whether and how to expand Iowa’s limited medical cannabis law went deep into Monday evening and also spilled into Tuesday.
Advocates calling for expanded access to cannabidiol, a medicinal byproduct of the marijuana plant, expressed their disappointment with a proposal introduced Monday night by House Republicans that would have increased the number of ailments permitted for cannabidiol treatments and attempted to establish partnerships with other states that, unlike Iowa, produce and sell the product.
Opponents of the proposal, including those who would use cannabidiol to treat illnesses like epilepsy and cancer, say it would have done nothing to help them.
The legislation was voted down, 63-31, with only Republicans supporting and a mixture of Republicans and Democrats opposing.
“I’m disappointed. I feel misled by members of the Iowa House,” said Sally Gaer, of West Des Moines, co-founder of the advocacy group Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis that has advocated for expanded cannabidiol access and held a press conference Tuesday at the Capitol.
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Iowa Medical Cannabis Proposal Voted Down
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