Iowa Lawmakers Unveil Marijuana Legalization Bill

Democratic lawmakers within the Iowa Home of Representatives on Tuesday launched laws to legalize leisure marijuana for adults. If handed into regulation, the laws would legalize the possession of hashish containing as much as 500 milligrams of THC, the first psychoactive part of marijuana, for adults aged 21 and older with legitimate identification. The invoice, which has not but been formally launched within the Home, additionally units the stage for regulated business hashish gross sales and establishes a tax on licensed marijuana gross sales.

“We’ve listened to Iowans and heard from folks of all events in all corners of the state who strongly imagine it’s time to legalize marijuana. This common sense invoice we’re introducing right now isn’t about politics, it’s about folks,” mentioned Home Democratic Chief Jennifer Konfrst. “Our invoice is a chance this session to place partisanship apart and work collectively to get one thing completed {that a} majority of Iowans need.”

Laws Reduces Penalties For Pot Possession

The invoice additionally eliminates felony penalties for possessing as much as a half-ounce of marijuana, reclassifying such possession as a civil penalty. The measure additionally reduces different possession prices from felonies to misdemeanors and expunges felony information of nonviolent marijuana possession convictions.

The laws would permit regulated companies to provide and distribute marijuana by licensed dispensaries and duties the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division with regulating the business hashish trade. The invoice additionally requires the division to implement a seed-to-sale monitoring system to watch regulated hashish merchandise and assist forestall diversion to the illicit market.

The Democrats’ marijuana legalization plan units a ten% tax on business hashish merchandise, with income devoted to colleges, psychological well being providers and native public security companies. Moreover, counties can be permitted to levy a further 1% surcharge on state and native taxes.

Konfrst mentioned that legalizing marijuana in Iowa would maintain hashish tax income in Iowa as an alternative of sending it to neighboring states with authorized pot. Each Illinois and Michigan have legalized leisure marijuana.

Majority Of Iowans Help Legalizing Marijuana

The Home Democratic Chief famous that there’s robust assist for marijuana legalization in Iowa. In a 2021 Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Ballot, 54% of adults mentioned that they have been in favor of legalizing leisure marijuana.

“It’s throughout celebration strains,” mentioned Konfrst. “It’s throughout the place the place you reside within the state: rural, city and suburban. And it’s time to do that.”

“With robust assist from Iowans and neighboring states which have already accepted, it’s time to legalize marijuana for grownup use,” mentioned Home Minority Whip Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque. “The great invoice we’re introducing right now will maintain Iowans secure, cease our tax {dollars} from going to neighboring states, enhance the standard of life for Iowans affected by persistent sicknesses and cease losing state sources to unfairly punish Iowans.”

Though marijuana legalization is supported by a majority of Iowans, the invoice is unlikely to be accepted the state’s Republican-led legislature. Final month, GOP celebration leaders mentioned they don’t anticipate marijuana legalization payments to advance this yr.

“I believe there must be a deterrent within the regulation, however I perceive the logic of getting discussions about what the suitable penalties must be and that type of factor,” Republican Rep. Steven Holt, the chair of the Home Judiciary Committee, mentioned final yr. “However by way of making marijuana authorized, that’s one thing I’d by no means assist.”