Iowa: Senate Concurrent Resolution 101 Passes Senate Committee, Moves On To The Floor

My first childhood soccer coach, Senator Julian Garrett, served as Vice Chair on this committee, while my long time Senator, Brad Zaun, Chaired this committee vote today on February 8, 2022. Go Senators Zaun and Garrett!

Text of Senate Concurrent Resolution 101 — A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to grant an exception to the classification of cannabis under schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act in Iowa, available here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=89&ba=scr101

Transcript from today’s Senate Judiciary committee hearing on SCR 101:

Senator Zaun: “Senator Bolkcom, Senator Sinclair, uh, recommended passage.”

Senator Garrett: Thank you, you’re in order for your opening comments.

Senator Zaun: Yeah thank you. This is a resolution that we’re sending the United States Congress, asking them for an exemption from the Department of uh, Drug Enforcement Agency, for the ability for staff to administer CBD products in our long-term facilities, and our educational facilities. That will conclude my opening comment.

Senator Garrett: Are there questions or comments on SCR 101? Seeing none, Senator Zaun you’re in order for closing comments.

Senator Zaun: I just think this is a good step to communicate that we need some help here in Iowa. There’s other states that have passed this as well. And that will conclude my closing comments.

Senator Garrett: Thank you. Short form has been called for. Those in favor of the bill say aye? Those opposed nay? The bill is passed and will move on to the floor.

Video of today’s committee hearing available at https://iowamedicalmarijuana.org/iowa/legislation2022/

Senate File 2110, sponsored by Senator Tom Shipley, which removes an existing 40 acre limit on hemp farmers farm size which was originally intended to prevent people from getting over zealous and putting their financial position in jeopardy by buying into something they didn’t have a clue as to how to operate, was moved forward. Senator Shipley said during talk about bringing hemp processing to the state, that some of the industry operators in Iowa do know what they’re doing with hemp products. Bigger acreage needs to be allowed for hemp farms in order to expand Iowa hemp industries activities and bring processing plants into Iowa. This was what was explained during today’s committee vote passing along Senate File 2110 to the Senate floor for a final vote.