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DES MOINES | A new coalition calling itself Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis has formed to promote safe and regulated access to medical cannabis for Iowa patients suffering from a variety of medical conditions.

Individuals and parents with children suffering from chronic conditions that could be treated with medical cannabis said Tuesday the Iowa law passed last legislative session and signed by Gov. Terry Branstad does not go far enough in providing the desired access to marijuana-derived cannabis oil.

The law allows Iowans with intractable epilepsy to treat their conditions legally with medical cannabis oil, but coalition members told a Statehouse news conference Tuesday that Iowans still cannot safely, affordably and legally get medical cannabis in other states.

"We appreciate the effort of the Legislature for working with us and listening to our stories," said Sally Gaer, a West Des Moines woman who daughter, Margaret, suffers with intractable epilepsy. "They gave us hope. Unfortunately not one single patient or family has been able to get the medicine they so desperately need. Clearly the law is not working."