Three Iowa Senators seek legalization of recreational cannabis

A trio of Democratic MPs in Iowa want to bring cannabis legalization to the polls.

The idea came from three Senators Joe Bolkcom, Janet Petersen and Sarah Trone Garriott, who said at a press conference Tuesday that they intend to push through a constitutional amendment that would legalize the use of recreational pot for adults aged 21 and over.

“The marijuana ban was a costly failure,” said Bolkcom, who represents Iowa City (home of the University of Iowa), as quoted by local TV station KWQC. “It ends all over America because it did far more harm than good.”

The broadcaster reported that the proposal “requires a simple majority in both the state house and the Senate in two consecutive general assemblies in order to be included in the vote”. for the change to become part of the state constitution. ”KWQC added that the three lawmakers“ have already sent a language to the Legislative Services Agency to propose this change in the next legislative term ”.

“Right now, you can go to Hy-Vee or Kum & Go and buy a six-pack of beer,” Bolkcom said, according to the broadcaster. “What this constitutional change would do … it would basically treat marijuana the way we treat a six-pack of beer.”

Bolkcom, Petersen and Trone Garriott all pointed to poll data showing voters in Hawkeye state are ready to end the cannabis ban. A survey by the Des Moines Register earlier this year found that “54 percent of adults” [in Iowa] say they are in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, 39 percent oppose it and 6 percent are unsure, “the newspaper reported that” roughly the same level of support was found in a March 2020 Iowa poll which for the first time found a majority of the Iower (53 percent) in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. “

It’s a sharp increase since 2013, when the same poll found that “only 29 percent of Iowa adults said they were supportive of the idea; 68 percent were against it and three percent were unsure. “

“Iowans are ready to join the growing list of states regulating marijuana for adult use,” Petersen said, as quoted by Iowa Capital Dispatch.

The senators also pointed out Iowa’s eastern neighbor, Illinois, which has legalized cannabis and is currently a thriving recreational market. Another state on the Iowa border, South Dakota may also seek legalization next year after efforts to end prohibition were thwarted by the state’s courts.

“The world around us is changing and Iowa is being left behind,” said Trone Garriott, as quoted by KWQC. “In contrast to many of our neighbors, the citizens of Iowa do not have the opportunity to put this issue up for a referendum. We think it is time I had a voice and a voice on this matter. “

But the three Democrats are already facing immediate resistance from Republicans in the legislature. GOP state Senator Brad Zaun, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told a local newspaper that the bill would not come off the committee.

“Gimmicks like a constitutional amendment on recreational marijuana exemplify the lack of ideas Senate Democrats have to solve Iowan’s problems better than any reaction I have,” Zaun told the Quad-City Times. “I have no intention of getting this bill out of the judiciary committee.”

Bolkcom called on Republicans on Twitter Tuesday, saying the party has not stepped up with a majority of Iovans on the issue.

“It has become a mainstream issue. The majority of Iower support this, ”Bolkcom said, according to the Quad-City Times. “The Republicans are in the minority here. Still, we need your help to get this constitutional amendment to the electorate so that they can hear their voice. “