LATEST DEBACLE FOR MEDICAL POT

The once bright future for medical marijuana is looking a lot hazier
after a recent dispute between the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the
state's legislators.

Medical marijuana in Iowa had appeared to be heading toward
legalization, but there have been major arguments lately on whether
it is up to the state board or the Legislature to give the final
go-head. Each party points to the other, and as they do so, the
prospects of obtaining a prescription for medical marijuana seem to
be further from reach.

While the DI Editorial Board -- which has supported legalizing
medical marijuana in the past -- waits with the rest of Iowa, we are
rather hopeful that the state will end the bickering and legalize the
once frowned-upon substance, thus allowing those in dire need to
reap the medical benefits.

However, after speaking with Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, we are
not optimistic we will see any development before January.

"I think you won't see this become a law for several years, but the
only way we are going to make it a law is to study it," Courtney said.

Initially, the Pharmacy Board (which unanimously voted for medicinal
marijuana on Feb. 17) said it recommend Legislature to take a look
into the medical benefits in order to proceed toward legalization.
However, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has said there is no
need for a legislative committee to study the matter because the Iowa
Code gives the Pharmacy Board the power to set rules for medical marijuana.

Without officially taking a side on the issue, Courtney said he
believes the Pharmacy Board is correct, saying, "The Legislature is
the one that needs to move forward on this issue."

The DI Editorial Board is quite skeptical whether the dispute will
ever be settled. Courtney said the soonest medical marijuana could
again be discussed is January, and even then it will take time before
the logistics are all straightened out.

Courtney said the state's biggest concern (which should come as no
surprise) is that over time, it will be easier for people to obtain
the drug for recreational purposes.

"If you're going to make marijuana legal, you have to figure out the
mechanics of it," he said.

And Courtney is certainly correct -- there are many technicalities
that the state must research -- and that will take some time before
we see any progress.

Courtney is a strong advocate for the drug, and he believes many
hospitals are in favor of medical marijuana, because it can ease the
pain and nausea for many patients.

He says if we can alleviate people's pain, and do it in a way that
doesn't jeopardize anybody else, we are obligated to at least look
into it?

And many will agree with him. According to the Compassionate
Coalition, marijuana has been proven to be one of the safest,
therapeutically active substances that can be used for an array of
medical purposes.

So, what once seemed like such promising progress has apparently gone
up in smoke -- now only time will tell if medical marijuana in Iowa
has a future.