DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A narrowly focused medical marijuana law just took effect in Iowa, but advocates are already hoping they can expand access to the drug for the chronically ill.

State lawmakers this year approved legislation allowing the use of oil derived from marijuana to treat chronic epilepsy. The law was driven largely by mothers of children with epilepsy. It lays out strict criteria, including acquiring a registration card through the state and buying the oil in another state that produces it.

State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says he hopes this bill is a first step toward a more comprehensive medical marijuana law. He hopes to get bipartisan support for legislation in 2015.
A spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad says Iowa should be cautious about expanding the law.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Human Services Department says changes in the federal farm bills means that about 1,100 Iowa businesses must pay for equipment and supplies, or pay transaction fees, in order to accept food stamp payments. The agency says Iowa can no longer use federal funds to provide equipment and pay transaction costs for retailers who average at least $100 a month in food stamp transactions.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Polk County Jail has joined a growing list of law enforcement agencies no longer holding immigrants in jail without a warrant if they’re suspected of being in the country illegally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being scrutinized for asking local agencies to hold such individuals for two additional days to give federal agents time to investigate and, if needed, start deportation steps.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two 19-year-old Des Moines men have been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for the beating death of another man last year. James Alon Shorter and Yarvon Nathaniel Russell were convicted in the August beating death of Richard Daughenbaugh, who authorities say was killed after honking his horn at a group of men. One other man also was convicted in the case.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Habitat for Humanity has received a bit of charity of its own. The Dubuque farm supply business Theisen’s has donated tools to the house-building nonprofit to replace stolen equipment. Tools valued at more than $3,800 were stolen from the group, which says its insurance costs would be unaffordable if its policy extended to cover its tools.

Authorities in Lenox report a Union County man was arrested early Saturday morning following a disturbance at a local bar. At around 1:30am, police were dispatched to the Dally Post bar. Officials determined 29-year old Joshua Weeks, of Creston, had entered the bar in an allegedly highly intoxicated condition, and confronted another patron.

Weeks was arrested on a charge of public intoxication and transported to the Taylor County Jail.