On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers in Iowa’s House of Representatives introduced legislation to legalise recreational marijuana for adults. If passed, the legislation would allow adults 21 and older with valid identification to possess cannabis containing up to 500 milligrammes of THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. The bill, which has not yet been formally introduced in the House, also establishes a tax on licenced marijuana sales and sets the stage for regulated commercial cannabis sales.
“We’ve listened to Iowans and heard from people of all parties in all corners of the state who strongly believe it’s time to legalise marijuana. “The bill we’re introducing today isn’t about politics; it’s about people,” House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said. “This session, we have an opportunity to put partisanship aside and work together to get something done that a majority of Iowans want.”
Legislation Reduces Penalties for Pot Possession
The bill also repeals criminal penalties for possessing up to a half-ounce of marijuana, reclassifying it as a civil offence. Other possession charges are also reduced from felonies to misdemeanours, and nonviolent marijuana possession convictions are expunged from criminal records.
The bill would allow regulated businesses to produce and distribute marijuana through licenced dispensaries, and it would charge the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division with overseeing the commercial cannabis industry. The bill also mandates that the division implement a seed-to-sale tracking system to monitor regulated cannabis products and prevent diversion to the illicit market.
The Democrats’ marijuana legalisation plan includes a 10% tax on commercial cannabis products, with the proceeds going to schools, mental health services, and local law enforcement. Counties would also be allowed to levy an additional 1% surcharge on state and local taxes.
According to Konfrst, legalising marijuana in Iowa would keep cannabis tax revenue in Iowa rather than sending it to neighbouring states that have legalised marijuana. Illinois and Michigan have both legalised recreational marijuana use.
Majority of Iowans Support Legalizing Marijuana
The House Democratic Leader stated that marijuana legalisation is popular in Iowa. In a 2021 Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, 54% of adults said they supported recreational marijuana legalisation.
“It cuts across party lines,” Konfrst explained. “It varies depending on where you live in the state: rural, urban, or suburban. And the time has come to do so.”
“With strong support from Iowans and neighbouring states that have already approved, it’s time to legalise marijuana for adult use,” said Lindsay James of Dubuque, House Minority Whip.
“The comprehensive bill we are introducing today will keep Iowans safe, prevent our tax dollars from being diverted to neighbouring states, improve the quality of life for Iowans suffering from chronic illnesses, and prevent the state from wasting resources to unfairly punish Iowans.”
Although a majority of Iowans support marijuana legalisation, the bill is unlikely to be approved by the state’s Republican-led legislature. Last month, Republican leaders stated that they do not expect marijuana legalisation legislation to advance this year.
“I believe there should be a deterrent in the law, but I understand the logic of having discussions about what the appropriate penalties should be and that sort of thing,” Republican House Judiciary Committee Chairman Steven Holt said last year. “However, legalising marijuana is something I would never support.”
