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Medical marijuana advocates voice frustration at public hearing

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 21:07 GMT by WOWT.com
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Medical marijuana advocates gathered at the Iowa City County Courthouse on October 15 to voice deep frustration with the state legislature’s recent attempts to tighten the medical cannabis framework. The hearing, scheduled by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, was the first public forum where patients, growers, and lobbyists could directly challenge the proposed restrictions. The discussion quickly revealed a rift between lawmakers, who argue that stricter controls will reduce misuse, and advocates who claim the changes will unduly burden patients who rely on cannabis for chronic pain, epilepsy, and other conditions.

The centerpiece of the debate is Senate File 123 (SF‑123), a bill that would expand the definition of “medical marijuana user” to include only those who have a prescription from an Iowa-licensed physician and who purchase their medicine exclusively from certified dispensaries. The bill would also require growers to submit detailed cultivation logs and obtain state-level licenses that would restrict the quantity of product each can distribute. According to the Iowa Legislature’s summary of the bill, the intention is to curb the black‑market sales that the state has seen rise to a 15 percent share of all cannabis transactions in the past year. However, the bill’s supporters argue that the current system, which allows patients to buy marijuana from a network of independent growers without formal licensing, has opened loopholes that allow illicit distributors to sell “black‑market” cannabis as if it were legal.

Advocates from the Iowa Medical Marijuana Patients Association (IMMPA) highlighted the impact on patients, noting that many have to travel to neighboring states for prescriptions, or pay out‑of‑pocket costs that would otherwise be covered under their medical insurance. “When my mother was diagnosed with epilepsy, the only treatment that kept her seizures at bay was medical cannabis,” said Lisa Harper, a spokesperson for IMMPA. “With this new law, she will have to wait months for a new prescription, and there’s no guarantee the local doctor will be willing or able to prescribe it.” Harper cited the 2025 public hearing as a critical moment to counteract the bill’s perceived overreach. She also pointed to a 2025 study by the University of Iowa’s Center for Health Policy that found that patient access to medical marijuana reduces opioid prescriptions by up to 30 percent in rural counties.

The hearing was structured with a preliminary presentation by the board’s chair, Dr. Kevin Morales, who explained the board’s concerns about quality control and patient safety. Dr. Morales stressed that the new regulations would require every medical marijuana product to undergo lab testing for potency, contaminants, and accurate labeling. He cited the Iowa Department of Public Health’s 2024 report that identified 12 cases of contamination in products sold from unlicensed growers. “These incidents highlight the need for stricter oversight,” he said.

In contrast, members of the Iowa Association of Growers (IAG) argued that the bill would impose “unreasonable administrative burdens” on small‑scale growers who are already struggling with high compliance costs. “We’re a community of farmers who have adapted our fields to produce safe, high‑quality cannabis,” said IAG President Daniel Kim. “Requiring each of us to obtain a license, maintain detailed logs, and pay quarterly fees will push many of us out of business.” Kim also pointed to a 2025 article on WOWT’s website (https://www.wowt.com/2025/09/10/medical-marijuana-limits-increase) that highlighted the decline in the number of licensed growers in the state since the 2019 expansion of medical cannabis. He further requested a review of the licensing fee schedule published by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billinfo?bill=SF123) which he argued was not scaled to reflect farm size.

The public hearing also drew attention to a related measure on the ballot that would require a 10 percent tax on all medical cannabis sales, with the revenue earmarked for state mental‑health services. While some legislators claim the tax will help fund necessary health programs, advocates worry that the additional cost will deter patients from accessing treatment. They urged the board to consider a tiered tax structure that would offer reduced rates for low‑income patients.

Following the testimonies, the board opened the floor for public comments. A dozen patients and family members spoke, many sharing personal anecdotes of how cannabis had become a lifeline. One attendee, 52‑year‑old veteran John Davis, recounted how he turned to medical marijuana after a severe spinal injury left him in chronic pain. “I’m not just a patient, I’m also a caregiver,” Davis said. “If the new law means I can’t get the medicine I need for free or at a lower cost, it’s a threat to my mental and financial stability.”

In response to the outcry, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy issued a statement indicating that the hearing’s feedback would be considered in an upcoming revision of the proposed regulations. The board’s spokesperson, Erin Sullivan, announced that the board will host a follow‑up hearing in November to review a revised draft bill that includes provisions for “patient‑friendly licensing” and “tiered tax rates.” She also noted that the board will maintain an open channel with the Iowa Association of Growers to address the administrative challenges highlighted by the growers.

The medical marijuana community remains divided over the balance between ensuring public safety and maintaining patient access. The upcoming revisions and subsequent legislative actions will likely determine whether the state can preserve its role as a pioneer in medical cannabis policy while mitigating the potential for abuse. The public hearing marked a pivotal moment for the community, as it sought to protect the livelihoods of both patients and growers amid an evolving regulatory landscape.