Hunter
12/09/19
The top Senate Republican in Iowa not only opposes legalizing marijuana in the state, he also wants to raise the state smoking age to 21.
Jack Whitver supports legislation for the minimum age of buying, possessing or using of tobacco, vape or alternative nicotine products to be raised, saying that would stem the rising epidemic of issues related to vaping products among teens. The legislation stalled last year but Whitver says it’s gathering support heading into 2020.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that there have been nearly 50 Iowa cases of respiratory problems related to vaping.
As far as Illinois giving marijuana use the legal OK starting next month, Whitver says there’s no plans to follow suit here. He does say that legislation that would lower criminal penalties for possession of marijuana may be passed in the upcoming session.
Whitver also warned Iowans that buying legal marijuana in Illinois and bringing it back to Iowa is a federal crime if you’re caught.