Iowa’s Medical CBD Law
In May 2014, Governor Branstad signed into law the Medical Cannabidiol Act, allowing possession of Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil with a neurologist’s recommendation for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in children with a THC level of no more than 3%. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive chemical in the cannabis plant that gets a person high. In May 2017, Branstad expanded the Medical Cannabidiol Act, increasing the number of diseases for treatment. This list now includes 11 diseases. Under this program, Iowa’s two licensed manufacturers can manufacture medical CBD for distribution to individuals with state-issued medical CBD registration cards at Iowa’s five licensed dispensaries. All other CBD sales are considered illegal in Iowa.
Currently, Iowa law defines marijuana as “all parts of the plants of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin, including tetrahydrocannabinols.”(Iowa Code § 124.101(20)). Therefore, under Iowa’s law, CBD is considered marijuana and therefore illegal with the only exception of Iowa Code 124E, the Medical Cannabidiol Act.
Recently Governor Reynolds took a stance and vetoed a recent bill that would have expanded Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol (CBD) Law to include a drastic increase in THC levels. The Governor shared that we need to remember that Iowa does not have a medical marijuana program. We have a CBD program meaning we limit THC levels. This bill would have removed the 3% THC limit cap and replaced it with 25 grams of THC per 90-day period. This amount is higher than one would typically consume even with aggressive recreational marijuana use. For more information on Iowa’s CBD Law, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/omc.
Attorney General Thomas Miller released a statement on Hemp and CBD products clarifying Iowa’s law on both substances.