Is CBD Oil Legal in Iowa?

Is CBD Oil Legal in Iowa?

Yes, CBD oil is legal in Iowa. Residents can buy hemp-derived CBD oil containing no more than 0.3% THC from licensed retailers. The Iowa Hemp Act, which aligns with the 2018 Farm Bill, created a regulatory framework for individuals and businesses producing CBD oil from hemp. Iowa has a Medical Cannabidiol Program, which allows registered patients and caregivers to possess CBD oil containing higher amounts of THC. Registered patients can only possess up to 4.5 grams of marijuana CBD oil within 90 days. The Office of Medical Cannabidiol provides licenses for manufacturers and dispensaries involved in producing and providing marijuana-based CBD oil to eligible patients.

What are Iowa CBD Laws in 2024?

In 2017, Iowa passed House File 524, the first CBD law, to permit marijuana-derived products for eligible patients. To qualify for medical marijuana, A person must be an Iowa resident and diagnosed with any of the debilitating medical conditions to qualify for medical cannabis. The Medical Cannabidiol Act in 2017 permits patients to buy cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries only. According to the law, cannabis products for medical purposes must contain no more than 3% THC. However, in 2019, the Governor signed House File 2589, replacing the 3% THC limit with a possession limit of 4.5 grams every 90 days.

In 2018, CBD products derived from hemp became legal after the U.S. Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). According to the Act, hemp products, including CBD oil, must contain 0.3% THC or less by dry weight. Such CBD products are no longer considered controlled substances and may be transported across state lines. The 2018 Farm Bill also allowed states to establish hemp programs and regulations for cultivators and processors.

Iowa Governor signed Senate File 599 (Iowa Hemp Act) in 2019 to align with the federal hemp law and ensure that all hemp products contain no more than 0.3% THC. Interested hemp growers must obtain licenses from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, while consumable hemp retailers must register with the Department of Inspections and Appeals. Iowa residents can purchase all consumable hemp CBD products except smokable hemp.

What are Iowa CBD Possession Limits?

Registered patients may not possess more than 4.5 grams of marijuana-derived CBD within 90 days in Iowa. However, patients with terminal illnesses may purchase more cannabis products if recommended by their physicians. On the other hand, there are no laws restricting the amounts of hemp CBD with no more than 0.3% THC that may be purchased or possessed in Iowa.

Can Doctors Prescribe CBD Oil in Iowa?

Yes, healthcare practitioners in Iowa can prescribe marijuana-derived CBD oil for registered patients. Such physicians must complete the Health Care Practitioner Certification Form, which should indicate patients’ medical conditions. In Iowa, hemp-derived CBD oil containing no more than 0.3% THC does not require physicians’ recommendations.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy CBD in Iowa?

Patients or caregivers must be 18 years or older to buy medical marijuana CBD in Iowa. Parents or legal guardians must accompany eligible patients under 18 to buy marijuana-derived CBD products. Meanwhile, there are no age restrictions for purchasing hemp-derived CBD, provided the THC amount is 0.3% or less.

What are the Licensing Requirements for CBD in Iowa?

Manufacturers and retailers of consumable hemp products must register with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA). Applicants can use the guide to register via the DIA online registration system. The annual registration fee is $475. Registered retailers and manufacturers are required to follow the DIA packaging and labeling rules.

On the other hand, hemp farmers in Iowa must obtain the relevant license from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) in order to grow hemp for CBD. Hemp growers' licenses are not available to individuals with felony convictions related to a violation of the Iowa Controlled Substance Act. Eligible applicants can register for the IDALS growers license online by providing the following details:

• Applicant’s basic information, such as full name, residential address, phone number, and email
• Basic information about the applicant’s authorized representative and key participants
• The legal description of the hemp grow site
• A map showing the grow site, including lot boundaries

Applicants must also request IDALS fingerprint cards for themselves, authorized representatives, and other key participants indicated when registering online. They can call (515) 725-1470 to request fingerprint cards via phone. To complete fingerprint cards, applicants should make appointments before visiting fingerprint locations in Iowa. Afterward, they can mail completed fingerprint cards together with a $26 fee per card to:

IDALS Hemp Program

2230 South Ankeny Boulevard

Ankeny, IA 50023-9093

Information on license fees and how to apply successfully are available in the IDALS Hemp Application Guide. According to the OMC regulations, manufacturers must label cannabidiol products with the following information:

• Manufacturer’s name and address
• The product’s THC/CBD amount
• The product’s expiration date
• Recommendations on how to use and store

Where to Buy CBD in Iowa

Hemp-derived CBD products are available at DIA-registered hemp retailers in Iowa. Residents may also order hemp-based CBD online from retail stores outside Iowa. However, before making online orders, ensure that the retail stores can deliver to Iowa. Registered patients and caregivers in Iowa can buy marijuana-derived CBD from licensed dispensaries. Such dispensaries do not sell cannabis CBD to consumers who do not have state-issued medical marijuana cards.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is produced from a mixture of CBD extract and hemp or olive oil. Usually extracted from hemp and marijuana, CBD has health benefits such as pain relief, sleeplessness, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. Other cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), terpenes, and CBG (cannabigerol) are present in varying amounts in hemp and marijuana. Generally, cannabinoids have similar interactions with the body. However, CBD produces soothing effects, while THC produces psychoactive effects. Due to THC’s psychoactive properties, consumers often experience strong effects such as euphoria, hallucinations, dry mouth, and red eyes.

CBD oil derived from hemp has 0.3% THC or less, making it safe for consumers. It is legal in Iowa and at the federal level. On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD oil contains higher amounts of THC and is only legal for registered patients in Iowa. Transporting marijuana-derived CBD or any other products with more than 0.3% THC across state lines is a federal offense. In Iowa, licensed producers can process CBD oil into various consumable products, such as edibles, beverages, creams, tropicals, and vape cartridges.

What Does CBD Do?

CBD interacts with the body's cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and endocannabinoids. Unlike THC, CBD soothing effects provide the following benefits:

• It helps reduce pain and reduces inflammation
• It helps alleviate anxiety and stress-related symptoms
• It promotes relaxation and reduces insomnia symptoms
• It can help with certain forms of epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD drug known as Epidolex to treat epilepsy
• It has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial for conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
• It can potentially treat mental health conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia
• Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a valuable ingredient for making skincare products

Does CBD Show Up on Iowa Drug Test?

No, CBD does not show up on a drug test in Iowa. Drug tests in Iowa typically screen for the presence of THC, not CBD. As a result, consuming CBD products with zero THC usually leads to negative drug test results. However, consumers may fail drug tests if the CBD products consumed contain high amounts of THC.