Iowa pharmacy board votes for medical marijuana

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has voted unanimously in support of medical marijuana. The board recommended the Iowa legislature remove marijuana from its Schedule I status to allow for its medical use. The 6-0 vote is considered a major victory by patient advocates in Iowa and nationwide, as few state pharmacy boards have ruled on the issue. Most of the 14 states that do allow for marijuana prescriptions have used voter referendums to change the law. The vote comes after the board held a series of hearings across the state, taking public comment on the benefits and harms of using marijuana.

Marijuana remains an illegal substance in Iowa. The legislature is not expected to take up the issue this year.

For more details on the hearing and how Iowa could be a game changer in the nation wide fight for medical marijuana, check out The Reader's previous coverage here.