Many people use CBD products for various practical purposes. The plant has gained enormous popularity across the globe for different health benefits, including pain relief, stress reduction, and many others. Besides that, the residents in the state of Iowa are also enjoying the advantages they can get from what these products can provide.
Moreover, even though the state has strict laws regarding the production of cannabis and manufacturing CBD products, you still have various options available whenever you need one in the future. In addition, Iowa is also making progress when it comes to creating and implementing laws that regulate the use of CBD. This progress may be slow, but the most important thing is that it’s eventually improving. Hence, if you want to know more about it, read this entire article to find out the legalities of CBD products in the state of Iowa.
Is CBD Legal in Iowa?
Hemp-derived products of CBD are federally legal in Iowa, which contains less than 0.3% of THC content. However, it’ll still be prohibited and considered illegal under some state laws. On the other hand, CBD products from cannabis are considered legal under some state laws but are still federally illegal in Iowa. Hence, when you travel across the state, make sure to check the local legislation, especially if you plan to buy or bring CBD products.
Moreover, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration in Iowa doesn’t approve any purchases of CBD products without prescription. Hence, those who are suffering from severe illnesses may request a medical marijuana card. They can get it from the Department of Public Health office of Iowa. These illnesses include epilepsy, cancer, AIDS/HIV, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, other untreatable pains, and any life-limiting illnesses.
However, your options for CBD products can be limited. You may only purchase CBD creams, suppositories, capsules, and oils. Besides that, you can legally buy any of them in the market whenever you need one in the future. Just make sure that the THC content of these products won’t exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
In addition, using marijuana for recreational purposes is illegal in Iowa. Also, the medical marijuana program in the state doesn’t allow anyone to use it in a smokable form. That’s why you can’t legally smoke a joint and purchase any marijuana flowers. It's because that's the definition of recreational use according to the law. Hence, anyone caught violating this law will surely face legal consequences and penalties.
CBD Laws in Iowa
The 2018 Farm Bill redefined industrial hemp and made it legal in the state. But, as mentioned earlier, these products should have less than 0.3% content of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. Hence, consumers can lawfully purchase these products in the market. Besides that, in 2014, the state legislature passed the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act. It allowed those who have epilepsy to use particular CBD oil with a THC content of not more than 0.3%.
Moreover, in 2017, the said Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act had been successfully amended. The said law permits the use of cannabis for medical purposes. With that, the Department of Public Health in the state was in charge of regulating the production and marketing of CBD products. Then, the Department of Transportation was given the task of providing qualified residents with medical registration cards. It’ll help them legally make CBD purchases from licensed and authorized dispensaries in the state.
Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa was assigned to create a program for industrial hemp. It's after Gov. Kim Reynolds successfully signed the Iowa Hemp Act in 2019. Then, after the approval of the proposed program, IDALS was in charge of regulating hemp and CBD products.
On the other hand, on June 29, 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds finally approved the amendments to the Medical Cannabidiol Program. The said amendment replaced the allowable THC content on the CBD products. Instead of having less than 0.3% THC content, the law replaced it with a purchase limit of 4.50 grams of THC every 90 days. On top of that, the amended Medical Cannabidiol Program also transferred the designation of issuing the medical registration cards from the DOT to the Department of Public Health in Iowa.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind When You Purchase CBD in Iowa
The CBD industry in Iowa isn’t established yet. There’s also the absence of regulation to monitor the manufacturing standards and product quality. As a result, it’ll be challenging to look for the right CBD products if it’s your first time making a purchase. Hence, check these few things below that you need to remember when you buy CBD in the state of Iowa.
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You have to ensure that the CBD oil you’re purchasing has been thoroughly checked and tested by a third-party lab. Doing so will guarantee that the product is safe from any harmful additives or chemicals that can be detrimental to your health.
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Look for full-spectrum CBD that contains all terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids, which will maximize the effect and let your body process and use the product properly.
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Before purchasing any CBD product, you have to check its potency and what type of product it is. You also need to know that these products may interact and affect your health when you‘re on medication. Hence, if you’re not sure of the best CBD product for you, you can see your doctor for medical advice.
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Be aware of the marketing strategies of some CBD brands and manufacturers. Sometimes, you may find it exaggerated, and other information may sound too good to be true. Hence, you always have to do your research and use your critical thinking skills to make a fair judgment and process the information you receive.
You also have to check the source of the raw hemp or cannabis used for manufacturing the CBD product you’re purchasing. It’s because these plants are naturally bioaccumulators. They can absorb any good or harmful chemicals or substances from the environment where they’ve planted, grown, and harvested.
Where Can You Find Local CBD Stores in Iowa?
As mentioned earlier, the state of Iowa has strict regulations on the production and marketing of CBD products. However, you can still find licensed dispensaries and authorized stores in the local market. Hence, check the list below of different local CBD stores that you can visit within the state.
If you’re living in Des Moines or near that area, you can go to these stores:
Groovy Goods Daydreams
House of Glass
Medpharm Iowa Dispensary
Mr. & Mrs. Vaporium
Central Iowa Vapors
Those who are residing in Cedar Rapids can visit:
Hawkeye Vapor
Smokin’ Joe’s
The Cooler
Corner Store Apothecary & More
HaZy Hideaway
For residents in Davenport or those around this location, the nearest CBD shops they can go to are:
Your CBD Store
Uptown Vapors
The Vaporosity Shop
Pipe Dreams Glass
East Village Vape Cafe
These are some local stores in Iowa where you can purchase CBD products of high quality at affordable prices. However, if your current location is far from the list above, you can try looking for reputable and legit CBD stores online. You’ll find various options based on your preferences and needs.
Why Do Many People Make Online CBD Oil Purchases?
One of the best ways to buy CBD oil in Iowa is through a trusted and legit online CBD store. Since these online retailers are not paying for having a traditional and physical storefront, their CBD products are more affordable than the other local suppliers or retailers. It’s also a big reason why many people choose to buy CBD oil online. In fact, most online retailers offer bulk discounts and other special pricing that you can’t easily get from any local CBD stores.
Moreover, online CBD shops have various products that will suit your needs and preferences. On top of that, purchasing CBD products online will surely save you so much time and effort because you no longer have to drive from store to store to see the best products at the best prices.
Takeaway
If you need CBD products for various reasons, you need to be familiar with the laws in Iowa to make your purchases legal in the state. Even though Iowa has strict laws around the production of cannabis and manufacturing of CBD products, you still have options to legally get one in the future. Hence, make it a habit to do research or ask questions from more knowledgeable individuals about the legalities of CBD products in the state. It’ll significantly help you avoid possible legal consequences or penalties for any potential law violations in Iowa.
Is Marijuana or THC legal in Iowa?
No, Iowa has not passed any laws allowing recreational use of THC containing products, although there is a medical program. So to avoid potential problems, keep any THC containing products purchased in a nearby state like Illinois out of Iowa for the present time.