Opponent to newly approved medical marijuana bill calls THC cap a ‘death dose’

A bill to expand Iowa’s medical marijuana program awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature, but critics of the legislation say changes in the legislation could hurt Iowans in need.Under the bill, Iowa’s medical marijuana program would allow Iowans with post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain to use CBD.The bill also limits the amount of THC in the medication to 4.5 grams per 90 days.Veteran Michelle Servadio Elias, who serves on the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, participates in the medical marijuana program for post-traumatic stress disorder and pain.She called the THC cap a “death dose.””You’re looking at only letting someone that’s in severe pain have 50 milligrams of THC a day when that is just not enough,” she said. MedPharm Iowa General Manager Lucan Nelson said he fears the bill will result in fewer patients.”That’s actually probably going to take some patients out of the program, or at least reduce the benefits they’re getting,” Nelson said.Nelson said Iowa’s medical marijuana program is one of the smallest in the country, with only 4,500 Iowans using MedPharm Iowa.”I think we still have to more fixes to this bill and more improvements to help the patients that are in this program if we want to see the program survive long-term,” he said.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A bill to expand Iowa’s medical marijuana program awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature, but critics of the legislation say changes in the legislation could hurt Iowans in need.

Under the bill, Iowa’s medical marijuana program would allow Iowans with post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain to use CBD.

The bill also limits the amount of THC in the medication to 4.5 grams per 90 days.

Veteran Michelle Servadio Elias, who serves on the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, participates in the medical marijuana program for post-traumatic stress disorder and pain.

She called the THC cap a “death dose.”

“You’re looking at only letting someone that’s in severe pain have 50 milligrams of THC a day when that is just not enough,” she said.

MedPharm Iowa General Manager Lucan Nelson said he fears the bill will result in fewer patients.

“That’s actually probably going to take some patients out of the program, or at least reduce the benefits they’re getting,” Nelson said.

Nelson said Iowa’s medical marijuana program is one of the smallest in the country, with only 4,500 Iowans using MedPharm Iowa.

“I think we still have to more fixes to this bill and more improvements to help the patients that are in this program if we want to see the program survive long-term,” he said.

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