Supporters called it a banner day, as Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill into law that provides “targeted immunity” in Iowa for the possession of cannabis oil as treatment for chronic epilepsy. A mother who led the lobbying effort for the bill spoke with reporters’ moments after the bill signing ceremony.
Sally Gaerof West Des Moines has a daughter who suffers from intractable epilepsy.
Branstad signed the bill in front of a huge gathering of parents and children with epilepsy, as well as about a dozen legislators who had worked on the bill.
The next hurdle for these children with epilepsy so severe they sometimes suffer hundreds of seizures a day is to get an Iowa neurologists recommendation to take cannabis oil as treatment. Then, the families will have to travel to places like Michigan, Colorado or Oregon where the product is legally dispensed.
Other advocates who lobbied for the new law say they’ll be back at the statehouse next year, asking legislators to approve cannabis oil as treatment for other chronic conditions, like cancer and post traumatic stress disorder. Branstad, however, has said he is not interested in expanding the law.
