Yes! CBD oil is legal in Iowa. As long as it contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, CBD oil is legal to grow, sell, and purchase in Iowa.
If you’ve done your reading on the legalization status of hemp in other states like Arizona and New York, then you know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to CBD regulations. Despite what federal law says, states can still pass their own regulations around hemp.
So what does this mean for the folks in Iowa? Keep reading as we flesh out the state’s key legislations and regulations on CBD.
The Path to Hemp Legalization in Iowa
Despite some gaps in earlier laws, Iowa has made progress in fine-tuning these legislations to make CBD more accessible.
2014 - SF 2360 / Medical Cannabidiol Act
In May 2014, Governor Terry Branstad signed Senate File 2360, also known as the Medical Cannabidiol Act.
This allowed licensed neurologists to provide CBD oil to their patients with one specific medical condition. The CBD oil could have no more than three percent THC. In order to receive legal protection, patients who qualified under SF 2360 were required to get a state registry ID card.
While the bill was a significant milestone in bringing CBD oil into the state, it left some important things unaddressed. There was no provision for legally obtaining the CBD oil. Patients weren’t allowed to purchase CBD oil in Iowa; they had to obtain it from an out-of-state source. And even this was tricky, because the cultivation, interstate commerce, and transportation of CBD was illegal in the state at that time.
Moreover, many criticized the bill for being too restrictive, because it:
- Didn’t allow other types of physicians, aside from neurologists, to provide their patients with CBD oil.
- Only permitted patients with one specific medical condition to access CBD oil.
2017 - Expansion of Medical Cannabidiol Act
Due to the issues and criticism around SF 2360, Iowa lawmakers made amendments to the bill in 2017. Signed by Governor Terry Branstad, the updated bill:
- Allowed two state-licensed medical cannabis manufacturers to be established in Iowa. That way, qualifying patients could access their CBD oil in the state rather than relying on out-of-state resources.
- Permitted patients to obtain medical cannabis from neighboring states with similar programs.
- Allowed more patients with different medical conditions to receive legal protection under the bill.
- Created a medical cannabidiol board. This group would advise state lawmakers on any changes the bill may need in the future.
2019 - SF 599 / Iowa Hemp Act
After the approval of the 2018 Farm Bill, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 599, also known as the Iowa Hemp Act, in May 2019.
Having passed the legislature with overwhelming support, this bill permitted farmers to legally grow industrial hemp in the state. However, before farmers could begin cultivation, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship was required to establish a state plan that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) needed to approve.
In Governor Reynold’s letter to the Secretary of State, she emphasized that though the agricultural marketplace of hemp was well underway, until the state plan was approved by the USDA, growing, selling, and purchasing hemp and hemp-derived products was illegal.
Officials were anticipating that Iowa farmers could start growing their first hemp crop by the Spring of 2020.
2020 - House File 2581 - Hemp Consumer and Public Safety Law
In March 2020, the USDA approved the Iowa hemp production plan. It was officially legal to grow, possess, buy, and sell hemp and hemp-derived products in Iowa. Farmers were allowed to apply for licenses starting on April 1.
In June 2020, Governor Reynolds signed House File 2581, or the Hemp Consumer and Public Safety Law. The bill aimed to make amendments to the Iowa Hemp Act.
Some of the key provisions in the bill were:
- Stores can sell hemp products produced in Iowa and out-of-state, as long as they comply with the Iowa Hemp Act and USDA’s regulations.
- Shops that sell CBD products must be licensed by the Department of Inspection and Appeals (DIA).
- Smoking hemp or hemp-derived products is prohibited. Anyone who is caught selling or smoking hemp could face a misdemeanor.
- Per the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and hemp-derived products cannot exceed 0.3 percent THC.
Onward: What Iowa’s Hemp Future Holds
With the legalization of CBD, lawmakers have been focusing on reducing restrictions on hemp’s sister plant, marijuana.
In July 2020, members of a task force created by the Des Moines city council began discussions on decriminalizing marijuana. Since marijuana laws have been primarily enforced among minority communities and low-income residents, city officials have made it a mission to make this a central topic. They have plans to deliver a proposal to the Des Moines City Council in October.
Shopping for CBD in Iowa
Iowa residents can purchase CBD oil at licensed shops across the state and online.
To ensure you’re getting a high-quality product, containing no more than 0.3 percent THC, do your research before making a purchase.
This involves shopping around for brands and products that:
- Provide QR codes. These will give you access to third-party lab results that will help you confirm the product’s purity and potency.
- Were sourced from organic, contaminant-free soil. This ensures the product comes from natural sources that safeguard the quality.
- Were processed using a CO2 extraction method. Not only does this produce higher concentrations of CBD, but it also creates oils that are free of solvents.
Discover Quality and Legal CBD Products
When browsing through CBD options, never skimp on quality. Always research your options, and be mindful of where you’re buying your products.
If you don't know where to start, start with us. At Hemplucid, we are committed to providing valuable information with the mission to help you make educated decisions. Our full-spectrum products carry no more than 0.3 percent THC and come with QR codes that confirm their potency and ingredients.
