For Immediate Release: May 29, 2019
Legislators launch effort to override Governor’s veto on cannabis
Suffering Iowans have waited long enough
Des Moines, Iowa — Two Iowa lawmakers announced a statewide effort to override Governor Reynold’s last-minute veto to HF 732, a collection of urgently needed Iowa medical cannabis reforms.
“The Governor’s last-minute veto was devastating to Iowans suffering from debilitating conditions– like cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease– who worked for years to pass this legislation,” said Democratic State Rep. John Forbes, an Urbandale pharmacist. “But because they lived in Iowa, some died without access to effective medicines. Enough is enough. The 96 members of the Iowa House and the 40 members of the Iowa Senate who voted to help these Iowans must stand up and defend their votes.”
“The bipartisan bill we approved last session, House File 732, does two main things. First, physician assistants and nurses can certify that you have one of covered conditions, and two, Iowa’s ridiculously low THC cap will be lifted. Iowa should no longer have the nation’s worst medical cannabis program. That’s common sense. That’s why it passed overwhelmingly in the Iowa House and Senate. And that’s why Iowans must insist that this legislation become law,” added State Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.
Late Friday afternoon, Governor Reynolds vetoed House File 732, which was the last bill she took action on following the 2019 legislative session. To override the veto, two thirds of lawmakers in each chamber must request a special session of the Legislature to take action. Lawmakers will be receiving a letter and request to override the veto later this week.
###