FORMER CANDIDATE, EDITOR GIVES HERSELF UP IN MARIJUANA CASE

The Editor Of Iowa Lady Magazine Ran For Lieutenant Governor

Lois Kennis, a 1998 independent candidate for lieutenant governor,
turned herself in to Urbandale authorities Tuesday on drug charges.

Kennis, 47, of Grimes, is editor and publisher of Iowa Lady Magazine,
and the wife of Mark Kennis, host of local cable television show "Big
People News" and an advocate for the legalization of marijuana.

Last Friday, Mark Kennis was among five adults, including his son
David M. Kennis, 24, who were arrested at his 701 N. Fourth St. home
in Grimes after police said they found them smoking marijuana in front
of Kennis' son, Matthew, 15.

Police also searched Kennis' home and said they found
marijuana-growing equipment and a quarter-pound of home-grown marijuana.

According to a search warrant filed Tuesday in Polk County District
Court, a sign found near the growing operation said: "This is Mark
Kennis' marijuana. If you want some, grow your own."

Urbandale Sgt. Jim Button said Lois Kennis returned home later with
her young daughter. "I didn't feel it was necessary to arrest her in
front of her little girl," Button said.

But police contend there is evidence connecting Lois Kennis to the
marijuana operation. Officers returned to Grimes Tuesday with an
arrest warrant, but Lois Kennis wasn't home. They said family members
promised to contact her and have her turn herself in.

A short time later, police said, Mark Kennis brought his wife to the
Urbandale police station, where she was charged with conspiracy with
intent to deliver and manufacture marijuana, and manufacturing
marijuana. She was taken to the Polk County Jail, where she was being
held on $48,750 bond.

Button said he expected this to be the final arrest in this
case.

Lynn Okamoto 515-284-8088 okamotol@news.dmreg.com