“The plan is to treat it much like alcohol, limit the marketing, and the advertising and put a framework and structure on it for those people that are already doing it.”
By Kadin Luhmann, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Dave Muhlbauer, Democratic candidate for Iowa lieutenant governor, defended gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand campaign’s cannabis legalization plan and discussed the importance of accessible behavioral health treatment for children Thursday during a campaign visit to the Ember Recovery facility in Cambridge.
Ember Recovery, located in Cambridge, is part of YSS, a nonprofit organization in Ames that serves children who are facing mental health challenges, substance use and addiction, family conflict, crises and homelessness or unstable housing.
Muhlbauer defends Sand’s marijuana plan
Andrew Allen, president and CEO of Ember Recovery, told Muhlbauer that he is concerned about the Sand campaign’s plan to “legalize, tax and regulate” recreational cannabis for adult-use in Iowa.
Muhlbauer is Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand’s running mate.
Allen said children can be exposed to cannabis at extremely young ages, and the legalization of recreational marijuana in Iowa could potentially lead to more issues.
“It’s something that you know causes some concern to us, especially as it relates to the perception of risk for young people,” Allen said. “I’m guessing we can all agree that young people should not be smoking marijuana.”
Allen cited that 1 in 6 people struggle with substance abuse in their lifetime, with 90 percent of those people’s addictions beginning during their teenage years.
“If someone is exposed to drugs or alcohol before age 14, it’s almost a 50 percent chance that they’re going to have an issue,” Allen said. “If you can keep them until age 18 from first exposure, it’s like 5 percent, so the longer we can delay the first exposure to drugs or alcohol, the better off all families are going to be. Our concern is that legalized recreational marijuana means a reduced perception of risk, more kids potentially using and more investments that we’re going to have to make as a state from a treatment standpoint.”
Muhlbauer said young people accessing cannabis is not the “intent” of the Sand campaign, and if elected, Sand plans to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol.
“The plan is to treat it much like alcohol, limit the marketing, and the advertising and put a framework and structure on it for those people that are already doing it,” Muhlbauer said.
Muhlbauer added that it is a focus of the Sand campaign to ensure young people will not be “enticed” by the legalization of cannabis.
“I’m here today because I realize that behavioral health and substance use is a crisis in Iowa, and we want to do our part as well to make sure that we better treat our youth, so they have a brighter future,” Muhlbauer said.
Mulhbauer cites family connection to Ember facility
Muhlbauer said one of his children was admitted to the facility nearly one year ago during a crisis. Muhlbauer said he only knew of the facility because of a connection and would not have known where to go for help otherwise.
“Last fall, we were harvesting corn, and later that evening, my wife met me at the door with our kids because we were in a crisis moment,” Muhlbauer said. “The uncertainty of where your family is at, the future of one of your kids, and knowing that they need help, but not knowing exactly where to go, it’s nerve-wracking.”
Muhlbauer said his fears went away when he walked into the Ember Recovery facility, as the comforting environment led him to believe that the family was in “a good place.”
Muhlbauer participated in a tour of the facility, and a roundtable discussion, where he and four others discussed gaps in Iowa behavioral health treatment for children, and what the Rob Sand for Iowa campaign can do to address the issue.
“I’m here today because I realize that behavioral health and substance use is a crisis in Iowa, and we want to do our part as well to make sure that we better treat our youth, so they have a brighter future,” Muhlbauer said.
During press availability after the roundtable, Muhlbauer praised Ember Recovery’s efforts in helping young Iowans.
“The takeaway is the passion. There’s a genuine passion here to help young adults and youth get on the right path and see a brighter future,” Muhlbauer said. “Andrew has a bigger vision of Iowa being in a better place in these crisis areas, and you’re seeing that through their actions that are reaching people, and we’d like to help them reach more people and put us in the right direction.”
This story was first published by Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
