Gazette Editorial: Lawmakers listening to parents

Only a couple of weeks ago, legislation to legalize use of medical marijuana in Iowa seemed dead in this year's session. Now, it appears the governor and legislators are serious about a narrowly crafted bill designed to help victims of seizure disorders.

This proposal could be a constructive first step toward eventual broader legislation that, while not allowing recreational use, could help thousands of Iowans suffering debilitating pain or other severe medical problems where no other treatment has been effective.

Recent lobbying efforts by mothers of children with seizure disorders, frequently associated with epilepsy, got the attention of lawmakers as well as Gov. Terry Branstad, who met with several of them. The governor has opposed legalization medical marijuana, at least not until he sees more research on the issue. Last week, however, he indicated support for legislation that advanced in the Senate and would be limited to allowing the use of cannabis oil for seizure disorders. The oil, cannabidiol, is a compound in cannabis that has little THC, the substance that gives marijuana users a high, but greater amounts of the CBD that has medical effects, including some dramatic, documented reduction of seizure incidents.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Kraig Paulsen both indicated that the parents' compelling testimony about their children and having to travel to other states to get cannabis oil grabbed the attention of the full legislative body, including Rep. Clel Baudler, a former state trooper who had been a strong skeptic.

Senators are reviewing similar legislation in several other states.

It's still unclear whether the House will take up the proposal before the clock runs out on the legislative session, which could close by the end of this week.

We're glad to see that state lawmakers are listening with an open mind. And we believe approving a cannabidiol bill warrants their sincere efforts yet this session. Keep those parents' stories in mind.

l Comments: editorial@thegazette.com or (319) 398-8262