WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- A timely lawsuit has been filed by one Iowan in Polk County, Carl Olsen, who has been educating Iowa policymakers for years on how to strategically legalize the use of recreational marijuana at the state level.
Last year, the governor signed House File 2589 , which aids the use of medical marijuana in long-term care facilities. It requires an exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to ensure there's minimal conflict at the state and federal level. But nothing's been done yet.
The marijuana activist is now taking legal action because the Iowa Department of Public Health said they would request a federal exemption from the DEA -- and they haven't yet. Olsen wants to know, "What's the hold up?"
"One of the answers that I got was that the governor was holding it up, and then later it became well we think the Biden administration - we want to wait to see what the Biden administration is going to do - so none of these answers gave me a definite explanation of what was going on," said Olsen.
After being given the runaround for months, he decided to file the lawsuit and implore the governor to take action immediately.
"I just think that our federal legislators are on the wrong side of the public on this," Olsen adds.
Just this year, an Iowa poll revealed 54% of adults favored legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and 78% want to expand Iowa's medical marijuana program.
"It was passed overwhelmingly - it was very popular, over 80% of the Iowa public whenever there is an opinion poll say they're in support of medical use of marijuana."
Governor Reynolds even agrees it's a "threat to public safety" to have this back and forth at the state and federal level. Olsen is still fighting for Iowa to take action in handling it's own laws, to prevent any federal interference, and protect Iowa.
"We want Grassley and Ernst, and Hinson and Marionette Miller-Meeks, and Randy Feenstra, and Cindy Axne to go and tell the federal government to leave our state alone -- let us figure out what to do."
Olsen expects to hear back from the courts within the next week. He said he doesn't know how the court will react to whatever reason the governor gives for the delay.
Regulators commented back in February that they're still evaluating the best way to proceed foward.
KWWL contacted Governor Reynolds for a response to the lawsuit and are still waiting to hear back.
The Link LonkApril 21, 2021 at 06:26AM
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Marijuana activist sues Governor Reynolds close to 4/20 holiday - kwwl.com
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