The Iowa Senate’s Democratic leader says he’s willing to co-sponsor a bill that would allow the very limited use of medical marijuana in Iowa.
The mothers of children with severe epilepsy have been lobbying legislators to decriminalize possession of cannabis oil and allow their childrens’ doctors to recommend its use. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs has the power to co-sponsor policy bills in the closing hours of the legislative session.
“I have agreed to provide my signature to a bill that would move a limited bill on medical cannabis oil forward,” Gronstal says.
But for the bill to be eligible for senate consideration, it must also have the signature of the Senate’s Republican Leader, Bill Dix. Dix is not ready to say whether he’ll support it.
“There have been some discussions about that, but that’s as far as it’s gone,” Dix says. “Members, people who are working on that continue to work on a proposal and there’s not yet one that’s been determined.”
Governor Branstad said earlier this week that he is willing to work with legislators to draft a bill allowing the limited use of a non-hallucinogenic oil derived from marijuana if the bill mimics new laws in states like Utah, where a Republican governor approved the move.