Republican lawmakers in Iowa have approached Minnesota officials, to see if that state would let Iowans go north to get medical marijuana. Representative Zach Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, says the governors of both states are involved in the discussions.

 

Iowa lawmakers decriminalized possession of cannabis oil two years ago for treatment of chronic epilepsy, but the parents of children who suffer from the condition can’t buy it in Iowa. Medical marijuana became available by prescription in Minnesota, FOR Minnesotans, last year. Nunn says that law would have to be expanded to let eligible Iowans buy medical marijuana in Minnesota.

Minnesota’s dispensaries are state-regulated and Nunn says that means the quality of the cannabis oil is monitored. He suggests there’s a financial benefit for Minnesota, too, because its program has been expensive to set up and run.

Iowans who’ve been lobbying legislators on the issue say relying on Minnesota wouldn’t adequately address access issues. The nearest dispensary in Minnesota is in Rochester, which is about 40 miles north of the Iowa/Minnesota line.