Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to make changes in the state-regulated medical marijuana program -- changes the governor has said she'll accept. Representative Jarad Klein of Keota was the Republican assigned to lead the debate. "We base a lot of this on the advice of very smart medical … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate considering crackdown on meth-related products
State senators are considering legislation that would crack down on Iowa businesses that sell products used to smoke meth. "Metallic and glass devices that are commonly used in one of the biggest problems that Iowa has right now, which is smoking methamphetamines, so we're trying to define these … [Read more...]
ISU study examines why meth cooks decide to cook meth
An Iowa State University study looks at why those who cook meth not only consider it a crime but also -- a lucrative job. Lead author Jacob Erickson, in the ISU sociology department, says researchers did extensive interviews with more than 30 meth cooks, most of them in halfway houses or assisted … [Read more...]
Medical marijuana policy debate likely in 2020 Iowa legislature
It's likely the 2020 Iowa legislature will try to adjust the state-run medical marijuana program, but it's not yet clear what will win final approval. A bill last year would have let state-licensed growers and pharmacies make and sell slightly more potent cannabis-infused products -- but after … [Read more...]
Iowa law enforcement issues another warning about Illinois marijuana
With recreational marijuana now legal just over the Mississippi River in Illinois, Iowa officials are warning residents to comply with state law. Iowans can now buy pot in Illinois but it’s still illegal to transport the drug across state lines or to drive under the influence. Sergeant Alex … [Read more...]
Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on opioid crisis
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst leading a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee today on the opioid crisis. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is on the committee and questioned how the federal Drug Enforcement Agency determines how many painkillers are produced. He cited a southeast Iowa county as an … [Read more...]
ISU study finds causes of opioid deaths vary by region
A study of drug overdose deaths finds there several different simultaneous opioid epidemics in the country rather than just a single crisis. Iowa State University associate sociology professor David Peters says one crisis is driven by heroin."Where most overdoses are driven just by deaths from … [Read more...]
Two statewide officials trained to respond to opioid overdoses
A representative of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition was at the Iowa capitol today to train two state officials how to administer Naloxone, a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. State Auditor Rob Sand said in late October of 2018 he attended the funeral of a woman who was the sister of one … [Read more...]
Convicted Iowa drug dealer’s execution put on hold
A judge has temporarily halted plans to execute a north-central Iowa drug kingpin for the 1993 murders of three adult witnesses and two children. Dustin Honken of Britt was convicted of the July 1993 murders of 34-year-old Greg Nicholson, 31-year-old Lori Duncan, as well as Duncan’s two children, … [Read more...]
Meth use in Iowa surges; all-time high number seek treatment
As South Dakota officials attract national attention for their anti-meth campaign, the drug is a growing problem in Iowa as well. "We've seen an increase in the use of methamphetamine, the availability of methamphetamine, the purity of methamphetamine," says Dale Woolery, director of the Iowa … [Read more...]