Iowans already turn to marijuana for health problems

While a state board is considering the medical benefits of marijuana, some Eastern Iowans admit they already turn to the drug to ease an array of health problems.

“It allows me to get up every day and function as a mother,” said Lisa Jackson, 43, of rural Crawfordsville, who has the long-term pain syndrome fibromyalgia.

Opponents say marijuana is already Iowa's most abused illegal drug, and allowing it for medical reasons will make the state's problem even worse.

“It's definitely seen as a gateway drug. It leads to the use and abuse of other types of drugs,” Lorna Richards of Area Substance Abuse Council said.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy held four hearings over the past few months to seek scientific evidence and testimony on whether marijuana should be allowed for medical purposes in the state. The review could lead to a recommendation to the Legislature whether to change Iowa laws, but lawmakers say the state's budget problems make it unlikely the issue will be addressed in the next session that begins in January. Thirteen states allow the use of medical marijuana.

Pharmacy board member Peggy Whitworth of Cedar Rapids said those who claim marijuana helps treat medical conditions like glaucoma, cancer, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, have been more outspoken.

“I quite frankly have been surprised at the very, very few people who have spoken in opposition to it,” says Whitworth.

Jackson and Jimmy Morrison, 23, of Muscatine were among those who testified in favor of allowing medical marijuana.

They said they struggle to get out of bed, and smoking marijuana helps.

Morrison said he suffers from anxiety and bipolar disorder and smoking marijuana about three times a day helps him manage his illnesses.

“My productivity has gone up so much, people don't even know,” Morrison said. “I run a painting business, and I'm a media director at a church,” says Morrison.

Jackson and Morrison say they're not speaking out to get sympathy. They just don't want to be considered criminals for using marijuana for medical purposes.

“I shouldn't have to suffer with the pain. I shouldn't have to go back to bed. And I shouldn't have to go to jail,” says Jackson.

Richards, of the Area Substance Abuse Council, said legalizing marijuana for medical purposes would send a message the drug is safe, when it's not.

“It could affect the brain, different parts of the brain, and inhibit the functionality of the brain. It affects the lungs very similar to tobacco, so similar to those types of respiratory illnesses,” Richards said.

The director of the University of Iowa's Drug Information Network warns against legalizing medical marijuana without more research.

“We don't know enough right now,” Dr. Ron Herman said.

Herman said the marijuana plant contains hundreds of chemicals. Some of the chemicals have beneficial effects when smoked, he said, but others can have serious health and psychological effects.

Herman pointed out researchers in Iowa hesitate to seek funding for and dedicate time to researching an illegal drug that might never be used for medical purposes.

“I'm hoping once the state realizes it is a medicine, they will start looking at more research,” Morrison said.

The pharmacy board is scheduled to meet Tuesday and Wednesday but the medical marijuana issue is not on the agenda.

Claire Kellett, KCRG-TV