Iowans have a chance to share their views about the new state law that allows severe epileptics to possess cannabis oil as a treatment.
It’s not legal to buy or sell cannabis oil in Iowa, but the 2014 Iowa legislature passed a law that decriminalized possession of the substance. Advocates say it can help patients with a severe form of epilepsy. The Iowa Department of Public Health has drawn up a set of rules for administering the law. For example, people would go to an Iowa DOT licensing station with a doctor’s recommendation for a card that shows the holder can possess cannabis oil in Iowa. The public health department would process the applications.
A 90-minute public hearing has been scheduled for August 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Iowans who want to speak out on the subject can go to a site in any of six Iowa cities to participate, via a video link over the Iowa Communications Network. Here’s the list of sites:
Ottumwa Regional Health Center, 1001 E. Pennsylvania, Ottumwa
North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City
Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs
Sioux City Public Library, 529 Pierce Street, Sioux City
Davenport Public Library, 321 Main, Davenport
Lucas State Office Building, Sixth Floor, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines
The hearing will be accessible via conference call as well.
Dial-in: 1-866-685-1580
Pass code: 5152814355
Written comments may be mailed to this address:
Deborah Thompson, Iowa Department of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
In addition, comments may be sent by fax to (515) 281-4958 or by e-mail to [email protected].