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DES MOINES -- Illinois is slated to become the 11th state to legalize marijuana when dispensaries begin offering products for recreational use as soon as Jan. 1, but Gov. Kim Reynolds says next-door Iowa will not join that growing list of states under her watch.

“I do not support recreational marijuana. I don’t,” Reynolds said Friday in an interview with The Gazette. “I won’t be the governor to do that.”

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and Reynolds raised concerns that state law enforcement and transportation officials are reporting that drug-related traffic deaths have surpassed fatalities caused by drunken drivers — which points to the need for more education about the dangers associated with impaired driving.

“I just think that when the data continues to come in, especially with the strength that we’re seeing, the potency, the amount of psychotic episodes that are happening, it’s a gateway and there are statistics there to support that.” Reynolds said.

OUR OPINION: Keep working to improve Iowa's medical cannabis program We were disappointed Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill we believe would have improved the state's medical cannabis program.

She draws a distinction, however, between the use of marijuana for recreation and for the treatment of pain and other conditions.