DES MOINES — Republican state lawmakers spent hours Wednesday night discussing a proposal to expand Iowa’s limited medical cannabis law, but party leaders on Thursday gave little indication as to whether the proposal will receive further consideration this year.
And a key Democratic legislator said that even if Republicans approve their bill, Democrats in the Senate will alter it to more closely match theirs, making full legislative approval even more challenging this session.
In a closed-door meeting Wednesday night, Republican members of the Iowa House discussed a proposal from one of their members to permit the production and dispensation of cannabidiol, an oil byproduct of the marijuana plant that has been found in many cases to reduce seizures caused by ailments such as epilepsy.
On the heels of that discussion, House Republican leaders said Thursday they have not determined whether the proposal will receive further consideration this year.
“We’re having a good discussion about it, and I don’t think we’ve reached an outcome,” House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said.
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