So the IA Board of Phamacy recommends legalizing medical marijuana

[progressoid]

MARIJUANA VOTE: The Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommends legalizing marijuana for medical purposes

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommends legalizing marijuana for medical purposes

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy took the first step Wednesday towards legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The board voted to recommend that lawmakers change the way marijuana is classified in Iowa.

The unanimous approval of the recommendation brought a round of applause from advocates of medical marijuana like Roy Lakers of Des Moines. "I have Multiple Sclerosis, and you may look at me and think this guy may not look that sick. But I'm able to maintain my health because I use marijuana," he said.

Until now, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug in Iowa and considered to have no medical value. But after months of research and public hearings, pharmacy officials agreed its time for a change.

"In order to be able to further the possibility of using medical marijuana in Iowa, that's what we wanted to do was get it out of that C1 class," said Board Chairman Vernon Benjamin.

The board is recommending the legislature classify marijuana as a Schedule II drug-- meaning there is a risk for abuse, but also the potential for benefit.

"The human response is to try and help people, and the human response has to be weighed against the legal ramifications," said board member Peggy Whitworth.

...

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy is now the first in the nation to make such a move on medical marijuana, but its unlikely lawmakers will have time to address the issue during this year's shortened session.
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-medical-marijuana-02172010,0,2227092.story

I can't imagine this happening for a while but it's an interesting developement.