Iowa
Regulatory Framework
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) Bureau of Cannabis Regulation oversees the state's Medical Cannabis Program [1]. The Iowa Department of Agriculture regulates Iowa's Hemp Law [2].
Legal Status
| Market | Status | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-Use | Illegal | Iowa Code § 124.401(5)(b) [4] |
| Medical | Legal | Iowa Code § 124E.1 (2017) [3] |
| Homegrow | Illegal | Iowa Code § 124.401(5)(b) [4] |
Track-and-Trace
The Iowa Medical Cannabis Program utilizes a track-and-trace system contracted with 365 Cannabis and publishes additional traceability materials on their website [5] [6].
Licensing
The Bureau of Cannabis Regulation issues various licenses for medical cannabis production and sales. Specific requirements are outlined in Iowa Code chapter 124E and 641 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 154 [6].
Possession Limits
Iowa's medical law focuses on cannabidiol and registered medical cannabis patients can possess a maximum of 4.5 grams of THC every 90 days, though they may apply for a waiver to raise this limit [7].
Medical Cannabis
Patients with qualifying conditions can register with the Iowa HHS Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program to obtain a registration card. They can also designate a caregiver who must be 21 or older and a resident of Iowa [7]. The Bureau of Cannabis Regulation also manages the Medical Cannabinoid Advisory Board, a group of physicians with regularly announced meetings [8]. Qualifying medical conditions for the program include:
- Cancer with severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting
- Seizures
- Crohn's disease
- Chronic pain
- Multiple Sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms
- AIDS or HIV
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson's disease
- PTSD
- Any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year (if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting)
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Severe, intractable pediatric autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Corticobasal Degeneration [7]
Additional Resources
- Wikpedia: Cannabis in Iowa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Iowa
- Iowa Bureau of Cannabis Regulation https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/medical-cannabis
References
- [1] "Medical Cannabis Program." Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/medical-cannabis (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [2] "Iowa's Hemp Law." Iowa Department of Agriculture. https://iowaagriculture.gov/hemp (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [3] "Iowa Code Chapter 124E.1." Iowa State Legislature. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/124e.pdf (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [4] "Iowa Laws and Penalties." National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. https://norml.org/laws/iowa-penalties-2/ (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [5] "Iowa Cannabis Operator Partners with ERP Technology to Drive Market Traceability and Growth." Proven Media. July 23, 2020. https://www.provenmedia.com/press-releases/iowa-cannabis-operator-partners-with-erp-technology-to-drive-market-traceability-and-growth/ (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [6] "Manufacturers and Dispensaries." Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/medical-cannabis/manufacturers-and-dispensaries (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [7] "Medical Cannabis: Frequently Asked Questions." Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://idph.my.site.com/medicalcannabis/s/faq (Accessed October 4, 2024)
- [8] "Medicinal Cannabinoid Advisory Board." Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://hhs.iowa.gov/advisory-groups/medical-cannabidiol-board (Accessed October 4, 2024)