Iowa leaders delay vote on medical marijuana

State regulators have delayed a vote on the medical use of marijuana until February after being swamped with opinions.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy planned to vote this month on whether to recommend that the Legislature legalize marijuana for medical problems. The board on Monday delayed a decision until Feb. 17 to give its members time read 12,000 pages of written comments.

The board held a series of hearings around the state this fall seeking evidence and testimony on the issue.

Advocates want Iowa to join 13 other states allowing the use of medical marijuana for patients with certain problems, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. Opponents see it as a back-door way to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

-- Associated Press