Minute with Mike, Week Four

Caucus

This week, we had Monday off, so we could all attend our caucuses Monday night. It is easy for the media to make a big deal out of what happened to the Democratic caucus because, unless your state has a caucus, it is hard to explain to outsiders so they understand the process.

So, on this issue let us forget that we are Republicans, Democrats and Independents. We need to remember that we are Iowans and if we do not stick together, we are going to lose the first in the nation's caucus.

Which means we will not see another candidate in either party come through this state and visit our small communities and stop at restaurants, bars or any place where a few Iowans can gather to listen to a potential presidential candidate.

This will all go away if we become just another state with a primary.

I'm asking you, please, don't run each other down or throw blame at the other party for what has happened here. The rest of the country hates that we have this very prestigious position in the national election process.

Let us work together to get this fixed, and move on with having the first in the nation's caucus. Thank you.

We are only two weeks away from the first funnel date. Basically, what that means is we are running out of time to get bills passed out of committee so they can stay alive in the legislative process.

Any policy bill that doesn't make it out of a Standing Committee by Feb. 21 is dead for this legislative session. For the next two weeks, all most all of our time is spent in standing committee and sub-committee meetings.

The first few weeks of session may not seem busy from an outsider's perspective; however, the time in between meetings is spent working with other legislators and staffers, researching issues, and talking with different groups of people all in preparation for the seemingly more exciting things, like floor debate.

Despite this week's full schedule, I was able to visit with several constituents both at the Capitol and at legislative receptions. I always enjoy having groups and individuals visit me at the State House.

The Capitol is such a beautiful building and I enjoy showing it off to visitors. I feel so lucky and grateful to have the opportunity to work here on your behalf!

If you, or a group you are associated with, will be visiting the Capitol or attending a legislative event, please let my clerk know through my legislative email listed below. Our days are really packed, but if we have a heads up you are coming we will make time for you in our schedule.

Medical Cannabidiol

There have been repeated discussions about medical cannabidiol in Iowa, especially since Illinois has legalized both medical and recreational marijuana.

Multiple businesses have been selling cannabidiol products, which is against Iowa state law. Law enforcement has been working hard to explain the law to businesses and help them properly dispose of the illegal product.

While there may be law changes in the future, at this time Iowa law is very clear; unless a person is in the medical cannabidiol program, possession of cannabidiol is illegal in Iowa.

Current law allows a person diagnosed with certain conditions to apply for a medical cannabidiol card. If the person is approved for the card, they are allowed to purchase cannabidiol products with up to three percent THC from one of five medical cannabidiol dispensaries around the state.

Any products purchased outside of these facilities are illegal to possess for anyone in the state.

The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board has approved the following conditions for a medical cannabidiol card:

Cancer - based on severity of treatment.

Seizures.

Crohn's disease.

Untreatable pain.

Multiple Sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms.

AIDS or HIV (as defined in Iowa Code, section 141A.1).

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Parkinson's disease.

Any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year.

Ulcerative colitis.

Severe, intractable pediatric autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

Corticobasal Degeneration.

The major goal of this letter is to give you a quick update that can be read in a few minutes. If you need more in-depth information on a specific subject or a bill, please just email my clerk, Andrea, at mike.sexton@legis.iowa.gov and she can find the information you are looking for and get it back to you.

Pass It On

If you have family, friends or co-workers that you think would also enjoy MWM please forward this to them so they can read it and deicide to be on our mailing list. If you are reading this and would like to subscribe to our newsletter, "Minute with Mike," please send us an email letting us know.

We have created a Facebook page that I will be using to add comments about what is going on in the Capitol and the House floor. This page will also be used to make comments as bills are being debated on the floor.

Please go to https://www.facebook.com/citizensforsexton or search for State Representative Mike Sexton on Facebook and like it so you can stay informed about legislation we are working on.

While we are in session, please remember that I will be on the Devine Intervention Radio Show with Mike Devine on KVFD 1400 every other Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. This is a call-in show, so use this opportunity to talk to both of us and let us know your feelings on the current issues facing Iowa citizens.

Please let me know what you are thinking! Feel free to contact me at my legislative email at mike.sexton@legis.iowa.gov.