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Cannabis in Iowa

In 2017, the governor signed HB 524 into law which allows patients with qualifying conditions and certain physician certifications to access low-THC cannabis oil with no more than 3% THC in Iowa. The state cannabidiol program is very restrictive. Currently, there are only one manufacturer and five dispensaries located across the state.

Overview of Key Iowa Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes – low-THC (up to 3% THC) only

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? No

Personal Laws

In Iowa, the first offense of marijuana possession is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. Patients who hold a Medical Cannabidiol Card are not prosecuted.

Personal Possession

Overall Possession: None but patients with Medical Cannabidiol Cards may possess CBD extracts with no more than 3% THC from the state licensed manufacturer.

Non-Iowa Resident Possession: None

Personal Growing

Personal growing of cannabis is not allowed in Iowa.

Registered Medical Patient Growing: None

Registered Caregiver Growing: None

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients are required to register for a Medical Cannabidiol Card and renew their cards each year. Patients must have a qualifying condition and receive a health care practitioner certification form from their primary physician who must be licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Cancer – if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following:
    • Severe or chronic pain
    • Nausea
    • Severe vomiting
    • Cachexia or severe wasting
  • Seizures
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Untreatable pain – any pain whose cause cannot be removed and, according to generally accepted medical practice, the full range of pain management modalities appropriate for the patient has been used without adequate result or with intolerable side effects.
  • Multiple Sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms
  • AIDS or HIV (as defined in Iowa Code, section 141A.1)
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • 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
    • Severe vomiting
    • Cachexia or severe wasting
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Severe, pediatric autism with aggressive or self-injurious behaviors

Business Laws

Only two manufacturers and five dispensaries are allowed to manufacture and sell low-THC cannabis products in Iowa. There is currently one manufacturer/cultivator in operation, MedPharm. All five dispensary licenses have been awarded. The five dispensaries are located in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Windsor Heights, Waterloo, and Davenport.

License Types

  1. Manufacturer Licenses
  2. Dispensary Licenses

License Fees

Manufacturer: $7,500 application fee and an annual license fee that is assessed each year

Dispensary: $5,000 application fee and an annual license fee that is assessed each year

License Timeline

The Iowa Department of Health has awarded one of two allowed manufacturing licenses and five of five allowed dispensary licenses. It is not accepting applications for either license type at this time.

Testing

Testing is required of all low-THC cannabis products manufactured by licensees.

Training

License holders in Iowa are not required to attend training.

Learn More about Cannabis in the U.S. and How to Work or Start a Business in the U.S. Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry across the country. Follow the link to learn more about our educational seminars.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 10/7/19.