Two Democratic lawmakers are calling for a special session at the Iowa Statehouse to override a veto by Gov. Kim Reynolds.Reynolds vetoed a bill Friday that would have expanded Iowa's medical cannabis program.The bill, which passed with bipartisan support in the Iowa House and Senate, expanded the number of eligible ailments and increased the allowable dosage.Sen. Joe Bolkcom and Rep. John Forbes, a pharmacist, requested the special session."By doing that, we hope the governor will know that we are serious, and we really think that this legislation is necessary to enhance the lives of Iowans through better care," Forbes said.Forbes said the bill could help Iowans with debilitating diseases such as cancer, intractable pain and epilepsy.He said the special session is unlikely despite the bill's bipartisan success.Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer issued the following statement:"While there were many good things in this bill, I don't know if it has the consensus necessary at this point to override a veto, so a special session would be ill-advised."The best way forward is to bring everyone to the table over the interim to craft a new bill based on the most recent recommendations from the Board. "I am pleased to see that Governor Reynolds is willing to work on a solution that works for Iowans.”

Two Democratic lawmakers are calling for a special session at the Iowa Statehouse to override a veto by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Reynolds vetoed a bill Friday that would have expanded Iowa's medical cannabis program.


The bill, which passed with bipartisan support in the Iowa House and Senate, expanded the number of eligible ailments and increased the allowable dosage.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom and Rep. John Forbes, a pharmacist, requested the special session.

"By doing that, we hope the governor will know that we are serious, and we really think that this legislation is necessary to enhance the lives of Iowans through better care," Forbes said.

Forbes said the bill could help Iowans with debilitating diseases such as cancer, intractable pain and epilepsy.

He said the special session is unlikely despite the bill's bipartisan success.

Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer issued the following statement:

"While there were many good things in this bill, I don't know if it has the consensus necessary at this point to override a veto, so a special session would be ill-advised.

"The best way forward is to bring everyone to the table over the interim to craft a new bill based on the most recent recommendations from the Board.

"I am pleased to see that Governor Reynolds is willing to work on a solution that works for Iowans.”