DES MOINES, Iowa – An expanded version of Iowa’s medical cannabis law received the signature of then-Gov. Terry Branstad three months ago, but legal questions and implementation issues could delay its enactment. At least 50 potential cannabis business operators have contacted the Iowa Department of Public Health, but the medical cannabis board that will review applications and issue licenses hasn’t yet been established.

Randy Mayer, coordinator of the Office of Medical Cannabidiol for the Iowa Department of Public Health, says the goal of having producers licensed by December is ambitious. “I think to make the Dec. 1 deadline for licensing and manufacture, everything would have to work perfectly,” he states. “And I think that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect that there might be some hitches along the way.”

Under the law, the department can license to out-of-state sellers, but there are questions about whether that would violate federal law. The Health Department is asking the state attorney general for clarification.
Prior to the expanded law, only people suffering from epileptic seizures could legally use cannabis. Now a variety of ailments, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease, qualify as legal justification for use.

To legally use medical cannabis, Iowans have to apply for and receive a registrant card. Mayer says fewer than 120 people have done so, possibly because of the $100 yearly fee, which might be wasted if the program isn’t up and operating in a timely fashion.

Mayer says the Legislature conducted research on the potential number of medical cannabis users in the state. “They estimated about 6,000 Iowans might be interested and eligible to sign up,” Mayer relates. As the state works through its application process, Mayer reminds Iowans that they are breaking the law if they purchase medical marijuana by mail and have it shipped across state lines.

(Iowa News Service)

Sheriff’s Deputies in Montgomery County arrested a man early this (Monday) morning on a warrant out of Adams County. 54-year old Scott Timothy Brown, of Grant, was taken into custody in the 600 block of 2nd Street in Grant at around 12:50-a.m., on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Brown was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on bond amounting to slightly more than $343.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited Iowa this past weekend, on a tour to tout the importance of bringing more young people into farm-related professions. Perdue stopped in Sheffield, Des Moines, Urbandale and Davenport over the weekend as part of a five-state tour. On Saturday, he delivered the keynote speech at the 2017 Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) — A Marine from Iowa based at Camp Pendleton has died after a tree fell on him at the Southern California base. Marine officials say Lance Cpl. Cody Haley of Hardin, Iowa, was doing routine morning physical training Friday when a tree fell upon him. A Marine spokeswoman says he died at the scene.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A severe June 30 hail storm that struck Sioux City has become big business for certain sectors of the local economy and drawn interest from outside contractors. The Sioux City Journal reports that auto body shops, insurance agencies, roofing companies and other auxiliary businesses have also seen benefits from the storm’s aftermath. Some Sioux City neighborhoods reportedly experienced golf ball-sized hail.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Union Pacific has apologized for a train that blocked a northern Iowa railroad crossing for more than seven hours. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the train blocked an intersection in southern Mason City from 9 a.m. until at least 4 p.m. on July 27. The blocked crossing was initially blamed on a broken-down train, but Union Pacific spokesman Justin Jacobs says the delay was due to replacing the train’s crew.

Cass County Domocratic Chair Sherry Toelle, Sunday, announced the winners of the American flag and the M&M Candy Jar on display at the Cass County Democratic Party’s fair booth. John Weppler won the flag, and Madison Loving won the candy jar. Both are from Atlantic. Congratulations to John Weppler and Madison Loving, from the Cass County Democratic Party!

The Marine Corps has issued a correction to its story about a Marine from Iowa who died recently at Camp Pendleton, in California. The original story said the Marine died in a car crash. Officials now say the young Marina died after a tree fell on him at the Southern California base. Marine officials said Sunday that Lance Cpl. Cody Haley of Hardin, Iowa, died at the scene Friday.

Marine spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Burns said Haley was doing routine morning physical training when the tree fell. The 20-year-old Haley was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in March 2016.

His awards include the National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon. A Marine statement says the Corps is heartbroken about Haley’s death.