Trade troubles with China have caused financial strain on many industries in the U.S., including agriculture, but Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is praising a new gesture by that nation involving Fentanyl. Chinese officials vow to tighten controls on the production and export of that highly-potent … [Read more...]
Medical marijuana dispensaries now open for business
Dispensaries opened in Iowa Saturday to sell medical marijuana products in the state for the first time. Patients with approved medical conditions were able to buy the products from five dispensaries in the state. William Rose and his 13-year-old son Christian made one of the first purchases in … [Read more...]
Meth tops marijuana among Iowa adults who seek treatment
Friday is National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, but it is a topic that the health department and drug control office in Iowa are already aware is a big problem. The interim director at the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Dale Woolery, talked about the issue during budget hearings. He … [Read more...]
Hundreds of pounds of marijuana seized in Freemont County traffic stop
A drug dog helped uncover a large amount of marijuana following a traffic stop in far southwest Iowa. Fremont County Sheriff's deputies pulled over an RV near Hamburg on Interstate 29 around 2:40 last Friday morning and the dog "alerted" to the presence of drugs. A news release states a search … [Read more...]
Medical cannabis board votes to add autism, keeps THC limit
The state medical cannabis board has approved recommending that one of four conditions proposed to it be approved for access to medical marijuana. The board recommended that children with severe autism be given access -- while deciding not to add PTSD, bipolar disorder, or ADHD as qualifying … [Read more...]
Advocates look on as ribbon cut on first Iowa medical marijuana production facility
The first company to legally grow marijuana and manufacture medial marijuana products in Iowa held a ribbon cutting today at their facility in Des Moines as advocates who worked for years to make it possible looked on. MedPharm Iowa’s Lucas Nelson has been in charge of putting the plant together … [Read more...]
Early numbers show a drop in opioid-related deaths in the state
The Iowa Department of Public Health reports preliminary data shows the number of deaths involving opioids fell from 137 to 89 in the first eight months of this year compared to the same time period last year. The director of the department's Opioid Initiatives, Kevin Gabbert, says several … [Read more...]
West Union couple accused of drug trafficking, child endangerment
A man and woman are facing child endangerment and drug charges in northeast Iowa's Fayette County. Twenty-five-year-old Ryan James Smith and 30-year-old Erika Pipkin, both of West Union, were arrested Monday at an apartment where police say they uncovered a drug trafficking operation. Police say … [Read more...]
Dubuque sees near record amount of pills in Drug Take Back Day
One law enforcement group saw a near record in the amount of prescription drugs turned in during the weekend National Drug Take Back Day. The Dubuque Drug Task Force -- a collaboration between the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office and the Dubuque Police Department -- opened a temporary drive-thru … [Read more...]
Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday is the second of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days scheduled for this year. The interim director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Dale Woolery, says you should check your medicine cabinets and take in any medication you don't need. He says some people flush … [Read more...]