Senator Joe Bolkcom, “Liberal Lion” of Iowa, Retiring After 24 Years Service

This write-up by the Muscatine Journal does honor to Senator Bolkcom’s hard-working long-lived Iowa advocacy career.

We will miss Senator Bolkcom here at WeedPress, who pulled rabbits out of hats and did legitimate miracles for Iowa’s voiceless, outcast, and discriminated against marijuana citizens in the face of the brutally racist system in Iowa’s political good old boy club network.

My favorite memory of Joe Bolkcom was when he gave a signal at the Iowa Capitol that to me was translated as “we may not win but I’ll give you everything that I have.” This was at a 2017 medical marijuana subcommittee hearing…the man was passionate, and I’m saddened to see him go on one hand, and hopeful his next endeavors are as equally engaging.

Congratulations on all your achievements so far, and to those to come as well, Senator, and for representing medical marijuana in your time for all of us. We’ll take it from here and look forward on seeing you down the way. This feels like some sort of momentous occasion, and it’s somewhat emotional in a really good way. I’m legitimately going to miss this human’s public presence.