A GOP congresswoman says that while she’s concerned about “free-for-alls” with marijuana laws, she understands the importance of having a “robust” medical program—a position partly informed by her own aunt’s experience using cannabis to treat symptoms of cancer.
A constituent identified as a Democrat addressed Rep. Ashley Hinson, (R-IA), about this issue while describing a personal friendship she has with a Republican. She said that their relationship is “exciting to say the least.”
She added that more Democrats should be elected to allow “people to use marijuana to help their paralyzed legs or my entire body feel better”.
Hinson empathized with her, stating that it was “important to have civilized political conversations” and maintain relationships despite differing opinions, even on cannabis policy.
She said, “I believe that what is really important in the discussion about medical marijuana is to make sure it’s only for medical purposes.” Iowa has a program. It’s something I remember working on when I was a member of the Iowa state legislature. “I think that there has been some change since I reviewed and examined it last.”
“My concern with free-for-alls around marijuana are that there are no tests right now for sobriety—for marijuana, unlike alcohol—where if you get in a car and you hurt or kill someone while you’re driving drunk, you can immediately be tested for how intoxicated you are as of right now,” the congresswoman said. “I do not believe there are the same tests for marijuana. I think this could help law enforcement to properly determine whether someone broke the law.”
She continued to state that it is important “to have a robust program for medical marijuana, as we have here in Iowa.” Then she told a story about how she came to that position.
“My aunt suffered from multiple myeloma. Hinson explained that it’s now been years since her death, but that she took medical marijuana to help fight the cancer. It was what allowed her to live and fight for as long as possible. “She lived 16 years with multiple myeloma— blood cancer—so I understand how important having that access to something that can make you feel better is and will happily, happily take a look at it as long as we can make sure the science backs it up on the legal arguments.”
Hinson opposed a bill legalizing marijuana in Congress but voted for a measure to make cannabis easier to study. Hinson also supported a measure to give marijuana companies easier access to banking.
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Iowa’s program for medical cannabis is fairly restrictive. Patients are not allowed to purchase marijuana flowers and home cultivation is prohibited. The law, as it has been revised over the past few years, is much more liberal than the original 2014 version. Lawmakers introduced a new bill in this session to allow up to double of the number dispensaries in Iowa.
The state legislature, on the other hand, has not bowed to calls for marijuana to be legalized as an adult drug. The state is also facing lawsuits by industry players over the law passed last year which restricts hemp-derived THC drinks.
Last month, Iowa House approved a law to allow the therapeutic use psilocybin in certain cases of mental illness.
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