Two weeks ago I was treated to a short presentation by Shelly Van Winkle at the legislative forum in Muscatine. Ms. Van Winkle (is there any title that indicates that a person is an RN?) is a registered nurse and a certified cannabis nurse. She was there once more to demonstrate the need for medical marijuana in Iowa. This time she was with a group of parents with young children who suffer from epilepsy.

She spoke of the suffering the children go through and the feelings of helplessness that the parents suffer when they see their children suffer from something that could be easily and greatly lessened with an application of a natural medication that is legally available in some 20 states including Illinois and Minnesota. Later one of the parents spoke of the hell she and her daughter went through before she was allowed to get medical marijuana through a very special dispensation. She then told of her wrenching fear of what would come when that dispensation expires in July.

The child is 5. You just have to ask what this child has done that Republican legislators would allow her to suffer so much. She is 5. She is taking the medication now. Children across the country are benefitting from such medication without any bad effects. Our governor has said he is open to full legalization of medical marijuana

The two Republicans at the forum claimed they were simply waiting for their leadership to decide what they wanted to do. Republican leadership has so far refused to move on medical marijuana. Claiming things like there is no scientific proof that marijuana works to fear that Iowa doctors will be arrested for even discussing using marijuana, Republicans continue to choke any move.

When last I heard such legislation was tied up in the House Ways and Means committee head by Tom Sands. According to the Des Moines Register, here was the status a couple of weeks ago:

But the legislation has been delayed in the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, headed by Rep. Tom Sands, R-Wapello. He has yet to assign the bill to a subcommittee.

“I’m still trying to gather facts on science and if it’s driving this (conversation) or whether it’s emotion,” Sands said. “… And while I have a lot of sympathy for the parents that have some of these children that are looking for hope, we don’t want to do the wrong thing that actually gives them worse side effects in years to come or sends the wrong message to the rest of our kids on drug use.”

Parents of children with severe epilepsy and other ailments have made emotional pleas at the Iowa Capitol this session and last; some say their children have seen major improvements in their health since using the oil. But Sands and others within the House Republican caucus have said they’re concerned the measure opens the door to possible misuse.

Sorry, I ain’t buying it. The points Sands make plus other points that Republicans have been trotting out are so easily disputed we could send one of the affected kids to take them on in a debate. If you are worried about sending the wrong message about drugs to kids, how about looking into all the mood affecting drugs that seem to be handed out like candies by doctors these days. From the Ritalins to the Prozacs kids have long ago gotten the message that drugs are a basic part of living these days.

The message that Republicans are sending is that even though this drug has long since been proven safe and effective, it will be blocked anyway. The excuses the public are given have long been refuted. So why won’t Republicans come clean with the truth? Could it be that the truth behind keeping cannabidiol oil from Iowans would bring the wrath of the public down on Iowa Republicans.

Could it be that the demon, money in politics, is behind the decision to let to let Iowa’s kids, veterans and many others suffer while relief is actually available? While trails like this are often hard to track, it sure looks like it could be.

When the reasons that we are given don’t hold water, it sure seems like someone is doing the bidding of an unseen driver. As I stated a couple weeks ago, that unseen driver very likely could be ALEC. Among members of ALEC are the drug companies who have a lot to lose if medical marijuana is legalized; the alcohol industry which may not be stung by medical marijuana, but could be stung badly by legalized recreational marijuana and of course the privatized prison industry which has lots of empty cells that our insane drug war helps keep filled.

It may seem like I am beating a drum for medical marijuana. I am.

With only a few days left and lawmakers eager to get out on the campaign trail, the legislative session could easily adjourn with this issue dying what would be a quiet death for most, but what would be a tragic case of purposeful neglect by a group of gutless politicians.

The right thing to do is to pass medical marijuana so that Iowans who need the relief it can give can have access to it. For a party that preaches personal responsibility and freedom once again give the finger and turn their backs on the very human beings they claim to represent.