Following the start of the new year, the state of Illinois now allows residents to purchase and consume legalized recreational marijuana a sharp contrast to Iowa which just recently began their medical marijuana program. As Iowa’s legislative session begins today Senator Amy Sinclair tells KNIA/KRLS News a topic that is sure to be brought up is the potential expansion of Iowa’s medical marijuana program and the ramifications of the Illinois legalization. Senator Sinclair believes Iowa will see a law enforcement impact, a public health impact and Illinois related issues on Iowa’s eastern border that could impact the budget and effect residents in Iowa. She says she believes the vetoed expansion of Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program will be revisited during this year’s session. Last May, Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have expanded Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program. Had Governor Reynolds signed the bill it would have allowed legal medical marijuanna in Iowa to contain more THC, the chemical that makes recreational marijuanna users high. Iowa’s current program allows capsules, extracts, concentrates, lotions, ointments and tinctures. Smoking medical or recreational marijuana remains prohibited in Iowa.