2020 Platform Resolutions - Drug Policy Forum
Here are the Drug Policy Forum party platform resolutions. Print the ones you support and bring them with you when you caucus on Monday, February 3rd.
| 2020_platform_resolution_-_drug_policy_forum_-_expanding_medical_cannabis.docx |
| 2020_platform_resolution_-_drug_policy_forum_-_expanding_medical_cannabis.pdf |
Issue: Expanding Iowa’s Medical Marijuana Bill
Whereas in 2019, the Iowa Legislature overwhelmingly passed House File 732 that
would have expanded the state's restrictive medical marijuana program which was vetoed by
Gov. Kim Reynolds at the end of the legislative session, and the legislature did not reconvene to take up an override;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board - which oversees Iowa’s low-THC medical
cannabis program - recommended that the legislature remove the three percent THC
potency cap and replace it with a purchasing limit of 4.5 grams of THC over 90 days, which does not go far enough to establish better therapeutic dosing standards, leaving most seriously ill
Iowans behind;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board conceded that a doctor should have the right to recommend dosing;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board also recommended adding PTSD to the list of medically qualifying conditions, thus protecting our veterans and other citizens who suffer from this diagnosis; and
Whereas that recommendation is awaiting consideration from the Board of Medicine; now, let it be
Resolved that it’s time for Iowa to pass effective and compassionate legislation regarding a comprehensive medical cannabis program that includes:
1. removing the THC cap
2. allowing flower/bud, steam vaporization
3. including multiple strains of cannabis for patients.
would have expanded the state's restrictive medical marijuana program which was vetoed by
Gov. Kim Reynolds at the end of the legislative session, and the legislature did not reconvene to take up an override;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board - which oversees Iowa’s low-THC medical
cannabis program - recommended that the legislature remove the three percent THC
potency cap and replace it with a purchasing limit of 4.5 grams of THC over 90 days, which does not go far enough to establish better therapeutic dosing standards, leaving most seriously ill
Iowans behind;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board conceded that a doctor should have the right to recommend dosing;
Whereas the Medical Cannabidiol Board also recommended adding PTSD to the list of medically qualifying conditions, thus protecting our veterans and other citizens who suffer from this diagnosis; and
Whereas that recommendation is awaiting consideration from the Board of Medicine; now, let it be
Resolved that it’s time for Iowa to pass effective and compassionate legislation regarding a comprehensive medical cannabis program that includes:
1. removing the THC cap
2. allowing flower/bud, steam vaporization
3. including multiple strains of cannabis for patients.
Issue: Marijuana/Cannabis Legalization
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_legaliztion.docx |
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_legaliztion.pdf |
Whereas, marijuana/cannabis prohibition hasn’t worked, with marijuana use being mainstream widespread;
Whereas prohibition wastes public resources, while marijuana taxation brings in much-needed revenue;1
Whereas prohibition sends an overwhelming number of Americans through the criminal justice system, ruining countless lives;
Whereas arresting marijuana offenders prevents police from focusing on real crime;2 and,
Whereas prohibition is detrimental to the environment;3 now, be it
Resolved that Iowa lawmakers support marijuana/cannabis legalization.
1 The Congressional Research Service projected that replacing marijuana prohibition with taxation and regulation would yield $6.8 billion in excise taxes alone. In Washington State, taxes on cannabis sales brought in more than $400 million in 2017.
2 More than 650,000 marijuana arrests and citations — more than for all violent crimes combined. Meanwhile, FBI data showed that less than 46% of violent crimes and only 18.3% of property crimes were cleared nationwide. Data published in Police Quarterly showed a higher percentage of some crimes were solved after legalization in both Colorado and Washington.
3 Illicit marijuana growers sometimes use banned pesticides, divert waterways, and leave hazardous waste in state and national parks. Regulated cannabis businesses are monitored to ensure compliance with zoning and environmental laws.
Whereas prohibition wastes public resources, while marijuana taxation brings in much-needed revenue;1
Whereas prohibition sends an overwhelming number of Americans through the criminal justice system, ruining countless lives;
Whereas arresting marijuana offenders prevents police from focusing on real crime;2 and,
Whereas prohibition is detrimental to the environment;3 now, be it
Resolved that Iowa lawmakers support marijuana/cannabis legalization.
1 The Congressional Research Service projected that replacing marijuana prohibition with taxation and regulation would yield $6.8 billion in excise taxes alone. In Washington State, taxes on cannabis sales brought in more than $400 million in 2017.
2 More than 650,000 marijuana arrests and citations — more than for all violent crimes combined. Meanwhile, FBI data showed that less than 46% of violent crimes and only 18.3% of property crimes were cleared nationwide. Data published in Police Quarterly showed a higher percentage of some crimes were solved after legalization in both Colorado and Washington.
3 Illicit marijuana growers sometimes use banned pesticides, divert waterways, and leave hazardous waste in state and national parks. Regulated cannabis businesses are monitored to ensure compliance with zoning and environmental laws.
Issue: Marijuana/Cannabis Decriminalization
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_decrminalization_.docx |
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_decrminalization_.pdf |
Whereas Iowa is seriously lagging behind the 26 states and the District of Columbia that have stopped jailing and criminalizing residents for possessing small amounts of marijuana;
Whereas under current Iowa law, first-offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, one of the most severe first-offense penalties in the
country; and
Whereas these draconian penalties hit low-income and communities of color the
hardest and, according to the ACLU, people of color in Iowa are almost eight times more
likely to be arrested for marijuana prohibition than their white counterparts; now, be it
Resolved that lawmakers support reducing or eliminating marijuana/cannabis possession penalties, and putting an end marijuana/cannabis prohibition.
Whereas under current Iowa law, first-offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, one of the most severe first-offense penalties in the
country; and
Whereas these draconian penalties hit low-income and communities of color the
hardest and, according to the ACLU, people of color in Iowa are almost eight times more
likely to be arrested for marijuana prohibition than their white counterparts; now, be it
Resolved that lawmakers support reducing or eliminating marijuana/cannabis possession penalties, and putting an end marijuana/cannabis prohibition.
Issue: Removing Marijuana/Cannabis from Schedule I Classification
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_schedule_i_removal.docx |
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_cannabis_schedule_i_removal.pdf |
Whereas, on October 27, 1970, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
Act was enacted;
Whereas Title II of that act, titled the Controlled Substances Act, established
categories varying from Schedule I (the strictest classification) to Schedule V (the least
strict); and
Whereas Marijuana was placed in the Schedule I category, thereby prohibiting its use for
any purpose; now, be it
Resolved that Congressional lawmakers remove marijuana/cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Act was enacted;
Whereas Title II of that act, titled the Controlled Substances Act, established
categories varying from Schedule I (the strictest classification) to Schedule V (the least
strict); and
Whereas Marijuana was placed in the Schedule I category, thereby prohibiting its use for
any purpose; now, be it
Resolved that Congressional lawmakers remove marijuana/cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Issue: Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Access
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_harm_reduction.docx |
| 2020_platform_resolutions_-_drug_policy_-_harm_reduction.pdf |
Whereas the Iowa State legislature has continued to deny access to life-saving harm reduction tools such as safe syringe access, safe consumption sites, and a state standing order to dispense naloxone; and
Whereas Iowa legislators continue to ignore evidenced-based interventions for their constituents while 33 states have established syringe access programs; removed paraphernalia laws; and are considering safe consumption sites to reduce disease transmission of HIV, Hep C, and to prevent overdose death; now, be it
Resolved that Iowa lawmakers immediately support safe syringe access, safe consumption sites, and a state standing order for the life-saving overdose reversal drug, naloxone.
Caroline Vernon
Whereas Iowa legislators continue to ignore evidenced-based interventions for their constituents while 33 states have established syringe access programs; removed paraphernalia laws; and are considering safe consumption sites to reduce disease transmission of HIV, Hep C, and to prevent overdose death; now, be it
Resolved that Iowa lawmakers immediately support safe syringe access, safe consumption sites, and a state standing order for the life-saving overdose reversal drug, naloxone.
Caroline Vernon
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