Iowa campaign launched to reform state marijuana laws

In recent years, the Iowa Legislature has opened the door to medical marijuana but kept it closed on attempts to ease restrictions on the possession and use of cannabis.

In the current legislative session, a Democratic proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 2003, means to amend the Iowa Constitution to legalize and regulate marijuana from cultivation to use by adults 21 and older.

It didn’t go anywhere.

That has been the case in the Republican-controlled House and Senate for other attempts to decriminalize marijuana possession or legalize its use.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, said his chamber has provided “access for Iowans suffering from chronic diseases to medicinal cannabis,” adding, “There is not support among Senate Republicans to legalize recreational marijuana.”

Now, a campaign has been launched to show legislators there is indeed broad support for Iowa to join other states in reforming marijuana laws.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Kim Reynolds are out of touch with changing attitudes toward marijuana, said Brad Knott, president of Campaign for Sensible Cannabis Laws.

Not only have GOP leaders stymied action on marijuana reform, but Reynolds has repeatedly voiced opposition to legalizing marijuana use, including threatening to veto such legislation.

When Illinois became the 11th state to legalize cannabis use for adults, Reynolds made clear she didn’t support legalizing recreational marijuana. [Read more at The Gazette]