Voters in Arizona and California earlier this month voted in marijuana for medicinal purposes.

It’s a move that may have far-reaching effects, some say, and one that’s prompted a mixed reaction from Iowa State officials and students.

Timothy Cmelic, pharmacy manager at the Student Health Center, said using the drug as a medicine is nothing new.

“The medicine, in oral form, has been available for some time. So as far as medical purposes go, I don’t see a problem.” He said the drug has been used with some degree of success in treating glaucoma cases and in instances of terminal cancer.

Cmelic said it’s hard to tell if Iowa will follow Arizona and California’s lead in legalizing the drug. While it is already in pill form, he questioned whether the state would ever legalize smoking marijuana.

He said issues such as the potential carcinogens and other problems from smoke inhalation haven’t been addressed. “It can have the same effects as second-hand smoke from cigarettes.”

The referendum is a new approach to dealing with the issue of legalization, said Robert Meier, professor of sociology. The issue has been voted on many times. Generally, the practice has been to reduce the penalties for using or possessing marijuana. Changing the law itself is something new.

The path hasn’t been cleared just yet. Attorney General Janet Reno has said using the drug still violates federal law.

“There’s still some legal maneuvering to do. If we open the door for medicinal uses, it may open for non-medicinal uses,” Meier said.

But the fact that the proposal was on the ballot shows there’s at least some support of legalization.

“I don’t think we’re going to see a mass explosion of marijuana use,” Meier said, “because it depends on criteria of what’s a medical use and what isn’t. To the best of my knowledge, there are few uses, and few people at this time who need it.”

Michael Adams, a freshman in pre-aerospace engineering, said there should be limits on the drug’s usage, however, “I don’t see why it shouldn’t come here. I’m for legalization if it’s for medicinal purposes, as long as it’s government regulated,” he said.

Adams was unsure whether any state would move to the next step of completely legalizing the drug. “Over-usage and over-exposure of anything can make it seem OK, like what’s happened to swearing and violence on TV. The same thing could end up happening to marijuana.”

David Weisrock, a graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology, said he doubts Iowa will approve legalization because the state is too conservative.

He said the government has been using a double-standard when dealing with the drug. “Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. For our government to say one is legal and one is not is hypocritical.”

Still, Weisrock has mixed emotions about legalization. “If it’s strictly for medicine, then it’s fine. But, if it becomes a loophole, then it’s no good.”