Let’s talk about a common question…”Is CBD Legal in Iowa?”
CBD oil is legal in Iowa so long as it conforms to all requisite state and federal standards. Also, the state has a small number of hemp dispensaries, particularly concentrated in locations around major city centers. NO OTHER FORMS OF CANNABIS are legal in Iowa.
Now we are going to learn more about Iowa CBD laws, licensing requirements in the state and where to buy CBD in Iowa.
What is CBD?
First things first. CBD stands for cannabidiol. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. CBD shares the outer space of the cannabis plant with THC.
Studies continue to show CBD may have a plethora of beneficial properties, with the most popular of these being: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, pain relief, anti-seizure, and anxiety relief properties. In these medical field studies, CBD has proved its worth in a growing amount of trials.
CBD is a Cannabis Derivative
Cannabidiol is a cannabis derivative. That doesn’t mean that it is the same as marijuana, though. It simply comes from a cannabis plant. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when answering the question, “Is CBD Legal in Iowa?”
CBD is a non-psychoactive cousin of THC, which means CBD cannot, and will not, get you high. As long as your CBD is hemp-based, or comes from the hemp plant, it will not contain an amount of THC over 0.3%. Federal regulations on CBD currently require all CBD products to come from hemp in order to remain federally legal.
A THC amount of 0.3% isn’t enough to get anyone high. In fact, this amount is so low that one could drink an entire container of CBD oil (not recommended), and still not get high.
Supplementing with CBD is a great way to treat patients in a more natural way than other medications that have harsh side-effects. CBD research over the last few years is significant. Investments done in research and development are numerous.
The FDA is still figuring out their approval process for CBD, so until this is complete, CBD will not be able to achieve the status of a dietary supplement.
Why is CBD Illegal in Some Places?
This is a tricky subject. Let’s begin by addressing the fact that while CBD is federally legal, each state has its own laws. While most states have followed the Farm Bill of 2018 footsteps, and do not regulate finished CBD products, a handful of states still have strange laws revolving around CBD.
While CBD is legal in Iowa, it is only for qualifying patients. Some of the more conservative states identify CBD with marijuana, even though it is completely non-psychoactive.
For this reason, they have a set of strict laws. As time goes on though, states are continuing to soften these CBD laws.
How Did the Farm Bill Help Hemp?
The 2018 Farm Bill brought a revolution for hemp and hemp derived products. The cultivation of hemp became federally legal for recreational purposes when this was passed.
This bill specifically removed hemp, which is now legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by weight, from the schedule I list of controlled substances. As of the writing of this article, cannabis as a whole is now set to be voted on for removal from this same list.
CBD had been legal in Iowa predating the Farm Bill, but only with a medical waiver.
The United States FDA and CBD
The Food and Drug Administration has the authority of regulating CBD product labeling, monitoring therapeutic claims for CBD, and the usage of CBD for recreational and dietary purposes.
The FDA, currently, does not allow the advertisement of hemp-derived CBD as a dietary supplement, or as an additive to food and beverages. The FDA must authorize any health claims that CBD products make. No companies to date have received this designation, except for the pharmaceutical drug Epidiolex.
While the Food and Drug Administration maintained this stance for years, it has softened these regulations and is considering appropriate legislation around labeling CBD as a dietary supplement.
In addition, the Farm Bill has given the authority to states to allow or disallow the cultivation and business of CBD.
Let’s move on to CBD and its legal status in Iowa.
Is CBD Legal in Iowa?
It is, but only for patients meeting the state’s requirements. Registered patients and caregivers in Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program will be administered a card from the Iowa DOT.
This card will contain identifying information, as well as the patient’s or caregiver’s individual medical cannabidiol registry number. This number will be included on the label of any medical cannabidiol products sold to that that specific patient or caregiver.
When confirming a person can possess medical cannabidiol, a law enforcement officer should match the registry number on the product label to the registry number on the patient’s medical cannabidiol card.
Licensing Requirements for CBD in Iowa
Possession of CBD requires a license for use in Iowa. A medical card is mandatory for legal use of cannabidiol.
A valid medical cannabidiol registration card issued under the laws of another state that allows an out-of-state patient to possess or use medical cannabidiol in that state shall have the same effect as a valid Iowa medical cannabidiol registration card.
This is valid as long as the products meet the strict requirements of Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program. Out-of-state patients are not able to purchase products at Iowa dispensaries.
List of Qualifying Conditions:
- Cancer – 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.
- Seizures
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- 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
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (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
- Severe, intractable autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Corticobasal Degeneration
The list of state approved methods of consumption are as follows:
- Oral forms – tablets, capsules, liquids, tinctures and sublingual forms
- Topical forms – gels, ointments, creams, lotions and transdermal patches
- Nebulizable – inhaled forms
- Suppositories – rectal and vaginal
- Vaporization
Iowa CBD Possession Limits
Iowa has placed a possession limit to CBD products that is determined by its THC content. The limit for most patients is 4.5 grams of THC over a 90 day period. Since the limit of THC concentration is .03%, most people will never come close to reaching this.
As an example, 4.5 grams of THC would be derived from a minimum of 150 grams of CBD (our topical salves contain between 1-2 grams CBD per container). For patients with extraordinary circumstances, this limit can be waived with a physicians consent.
Where to Buy CBD in Iowa?
Iowa offers very limited access to CBD products. Consumers can buy CBD oil and hemp derived CBD products from one of five state approved dispensaries. That said, products from out of state are legal as long as they adhere to the state’s CBD requirements.
I want to caution you, though, to be extra careful on where you purchase your CBD products. New Phase Blends is a veteran owned and operated CBD company. We offer nothing but premium CBD products that come with a 30 day money back guarantee.
At least give us consideration before purchasing – I know you’ll be happy with your purchase.
In the summer of 2020, the FDA conducted a study on CBD products from different brands. It reported that roughly 25% of CBD products are either fake, under-dosed, or mislabeled. CBD is expensive. I would hate to see a bogus CBD company rip you off.
Summary – Is CBD Legal in Iowa?
Yes, CBD is legal in Iowa. Here are some things to look for to make sure your CBD falls within the federal guidelines for use:
- Hemp-derived CBD is legal
- It must contain less than 0.3% THC
- I recommend that the CBD labels include a QR code that scans to a third-party lab result
- Marijuana-derived CBD is not legal
That about wraps up covering the legalities of CBD within IA. If you are looking to purchase or possess CBD in Iowa, you don’t have to worry. It is 100% legal in Iowa with a medical cannabidiol card.
Is CBD Oil Legal in the United States? A comprehensive, state by state legal guide by NPB.
