Getting jump on medicinal marijuana

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowans acknowledge that they are not waiting for a state board's recommendation on whether to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

They are already smoking marijuana to ease what ails them.

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

Opponents of legalization say marijuana is the state's most abused drug and the problem would only worsen if it were allowed for medical use.

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

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy held hearings in four cities across the state recently to seek scientific evidence and testimony on the topic. That review could lead to a recommendation to state lawmakers whether to change Iowa laws.

Lawmakers said it was unlikely they would take up the matter in their next session, because of the state's budget problems.

Thirteen states allow the use of medical marijuana.

Pharmacy Board member Peggy Whitworth of Cedar Rapids said those who say that marijuana helps alleviate the nausea, weakness and loss of appetite often associated with strong drugs used in treating 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,” Whitworth said.

Jackson and Jimmy Morrison, 23, of Muscatine, Iowa, were among those who testified in favor of allowing medical marijuana. Morrison said that he suffers from anxiety and bipolar disorder and that smoking marijuana 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.”

Jackson and Morrison said they're not looking for sympathy. They just don't want to be considered criminals.

“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,” Jackson said.

Richards said legalizing marijuana would send a wrong message that it is safe.

“It could affect 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.

Dr. Ron Herman, director of the Iowa Drug Information Network, said more research is needed before a decision to legalize marijuana is made.

He said marijuana contains chemicals that can be beneficial when smoked, but also contains some with serious effects.

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