BILL TOUGHENS MARIJUANA LAWS

With no discussion and little dissent, the Iowa House on Thursday
approved a significant change in the state's marijuana laws.

Under current law, giving another person an ounce or less of marijuana
is a misdemeanor. The proposed law would make anything more than a
half-ounce a felony.

Rep. Steve Sukup, R-Dougherty, said many drug problems begin with
marijuana. The use of marijuana should be taken more seriously, he
said.

The bill was controversial when it was discussed earlier this year in
the House Judiciary committee, with Democrats strongly opposing the
plan, saying it would add even more people to the state's overcrowded
jails.

On Thursday, however, Democrats were silent as the bill was quickly
approved 86-5.