Marijuana backers plan to roll on up to the Statehouse for a rally

Iowans who support overturning laws which ban marijuana and hemp production plan a rally on the steps of the Iowa Statehouse this weekend. Des Moines is among 130 cities globally taking part in Saturday’s “Million Marijuana March.” Terry Mitchell, of Dexter, is the Iowa event organizer. Mitchell says marijuana usage never should have been turned over to law enforcement because it is less addicting than caffeine. Mitchell says in the past six years, the hemp industry has bounded from one million dollars in sales to 50-million — but most of the hemp is imported from other countries. He says hemp would be a perfect “alternative” crop for Iowa corn and soybean producers. In the past decade, 20-percent of Iowa’s family farms have folded, which he says would not have happened had they been producing industrial hemp. Mitchell sent a letter to Governor Vilsack, urging him to join the group at the state capitol today to address questions about marijuana laws. The rally starts at noon Saturday on the steps of the Statehouse.