Iowa Gov. Branstad's cannabis oil idea faces roadblocks

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Terry Branstad has suggested Iowa residents could one day buy cannabis oil in neighboring Illinois, a move that industry experts say has major legislative roadblocks if it's ever seriously considered.

Branstad recently said he was open to working with officials in Illinois, which has a pilot program to produce and distribute medical marijuana. Iowa has a law that allows residents with some forms of epilepsy to use oil with an ingredient derived from marijuana for treatment.

Illinois law would need to be changed to let Iowa residents purchase the oil there. Federal law would prohibit them from bringing it back to Iowa.

Chris Lindsey, with the Marijuana Policy Project, says the situation highlights the dilemma for states that allow some medical marijuana without a clear path to access it.