No, CBD oil in Iowa is still illegal and classified as a controlled substance under the Iowa hemp-derived CBD oil laws. So, that means all kinds of hemp products relating to cannabis are unlawful by the federal government.
In May 2020, Attorney General Thomas Miller stated hemp cultivation and CBD oil products are against the CBD Iowa laws. The statement confirmed to the public that CBD oil is still on the controlled substances list.
Historically, the federal controlled substances act classified schedule 1 drugs as unacceptable for medical use or a high potential for abuse.
These laws included marijuana plants (weed), hemp-derived CBD products, CBD gummies, quality CBD products, medical cannabis products, and other varieties of the cannabis plant.
In 2018, the Farm Bill changed the industrial hemp industry forever. It essentially removed it from the schedule 1 category and allowed its cultivation, growth, and manufacturing. That gave dispensaries the chance to sell CBD products.
This revised definition meant that a commercial hemp production program could be instilled to help suffering patients. An Iowa hemp license would be required, and patients can only purchase hemp and CBD products that contain less than 0.03% THC.
The Farm Bill also tasked the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the labeling of CBD and products with the CBD oil industry.
Although federal laws ban the legality of CBD oil, there are still a limited amount of citizens who are qualified to use it.
The Laws of CBD Oil in Iowa
The Iowa legislature and Iowa CBD laws passed in 2014 were called the Senate File (SF) 2360 and known as the Medical Cannabidiol Act.
Iowans are by law allowed to use CBD oil in Iowa if they have intractable epilepsy. Baring in mind that the products need to contain a THC content of 0.3% or lower.
Although this act existed for many years, the citizens of Iowa had no way to buy CBD oil within the state.
House File 524
At the time, Governor Terry Brandstad commissioned the HF 524, a revised version of the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act that was instated in 2017.
It is a law that was assigned to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). That gave them the authority to legally monitor and develop the framework that regulates the sale and manufacturing of CBD oil.
All medical marijuana patients who have a card can legally purchase products from licensed dispensaries across the state.
Iowa Hemp Act
In May 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Senate File 599, also known as the Iowa Hemp Act.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) could draft an industrial hemp program with this law.
When this grant was approved, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted the power to the IDALS that allowed them to take watch over CBD, hemp production, and regulation in the state of Iowa.
House File 2589
Later that year, more amendments from the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program needed to be signed by lawmakers. Through the HF2589, these amendments came to light, and people could buy CBD oil and other accepted medical cannabis. On 29 June 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds passed the law, which took effect on July 1.
This law removed the THC limit on products and allowed 4.50 grams of THC to be purchased every 90 days.
There is only one expectation to this amendment, and that is for patients who are terminally ill. These individuals need to be certified by qualified healthcare practitioners. Proof needs to be shown that they are indeed suffering from a more severe ailment that coincides with local medical marijuana laws.
Other conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder have also been added to the list.
The scoop of medical conditions that CBD oil could assist with now includes chronic pain and untreatable pain.
The responsibility of issuing registration cards under the HF2589 was not shifted to DOT instead of the IDPH.
Licensing Requirements
Growers and farmers can apply for an Iowa hemp license to cultivate and grow hemp plants. That way, it is strictly monitored through the IDALS hemp law.
It is imperative to be aware that commercial hemp products programs do not mean that buying CBD oil is legal for consumption.
When applying for a hemp license, all individuals associated with the hemp industry must provide their fingerprints. That helps to classified CBD and marijuana-derived CBD with the relevant producers.
Individual Association
People who have at least 5% or more equitable or legal interest in hemp crops.
Individuals who are applying as business entity members.
Vital participants in an entity of executive corporate stature.
Any persons appointed by a chancellor or the president of an initiation governed by regents or a set board.
People who are acting as authorized representatives for a hemp cultivator.
The IDALS does the collection of license application fees and physical documents under strict regulations.
More information about the application process and the fees involved can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture website.
Testing Requirements
Laboratories need to abide by the testing laws set out in the state. These companies must establish and implement independent testing methods and maintain standard operating procedures when testing CBD products for microbial, cannabinoids, residual solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Iowa's hemp law states that a hemp licensee must provide notification of their pre-harvest to the IDALS. With the expectation of a standard non-refundable sampling fee on all new harvests. These notifications must be issued to the IDALS with a published form within 30 days before harvesting.
Once the IDALS receives the pre-harvest notification, it must start by scheduling the sampling appointment with the licensee.
An authorized representative or licensee then needs to accompany any IDALS inspectors at the crop site. They then produce official samples that can be tested in verified labs across the state to confirm that people can indeed buy CBD oil.
The IDALS inspector is going to determine if the number of samples obtained is adequate and necessary. They might end up taking more than the minimum amount if they find the sample to be inadequate.
You can find more information regarding testing, official hemp harvest sampling, and timing on the Iowa Department of Agriculture website.
If you have suffered a personal injury due to testing, visit www.tomfowlerlaw.com/des-moines-personal-injury-lawyer for more information.
Buy CBD Legally
There is a company called MedPharm Iowa that is the only licensed CBD manufacturer in the state. This company is the only business allowed to manufacture these kinds of products through the medical cannabidiol act.
How to Choose Which CBD Products to Buy
When looking for the best CBD products in Iowa, patients must consider if the dispensary they purchase from is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The Better Business Bureau gathers reviews and consumer reports on dispensaries and only approves credible entities.
CBD oils come in different forms, and the law states that CBD products can include tinctures, oils, gummies, capsules, topical, and other vape-related products.
The quality of hemp products is an essential factor when choosing CBD hemp-derived products.
People who purchase CBD products from licensed distributors must confirm it meets product quality standards. This comes in the form of a certificate of analysis that is provided with all hemp-derived products.
A COA is a certification issued by a third-party lab that has tested the company's CBD oil and made sure it meets quality standards.
Any CBD product that does not come with a COA mentioning its cannabinoid profile is illegal in the eyes of Iowa law. These tests can show if the product contains signs of bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, or residual solvents.
Where to Buy CBD Products Legally?
Registered caregivers or patients may purchase CBD products from one of the many licensed dispensaries in the state of Iowa.
Below you are going to find the most recommended companies to deal with.
MedPharm Iowa
Sioux City, IA
Windsor Heights, IA
Iowa Cannabis Company
Waterloo, IA
These are official dispensaries that have products listed on their website. Registered members can contact these companies to schedule an appointment to make a purchase.
What Are The Benefits of CBD Oil?
There have been several studies done on the benefits of CBD oils. CBD oil can have therapeutic effects on Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Yet still, the FDA only has one approved treatment for epilepsy which includes CBD, and this product is called Epidiolex.
Does CBD Oil Have Any Side Effects?
In general, medical CBD oil in Iowa has a good safety profile. However, there might be some side effects that the patient could experience.
Gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite
Liver damage
Mood swings
Nausea
Decrease in alertness
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Although this list seems long, there are only rare cases when patients suffer from these adverse effects.
Conclusion
CBD oil has revolutionized the medical industry due to it its effective treatment of multiple severe ailments.
With new cannabis laws passed and research done by a healthcare professional, it looks like CBD oil is here to stay.
If you are someone suffering from any of the conditions mentioned in this article or injuries from an accident without wearing a helmet, you can apply for a medical marijuana card in the state of Iowa. Make use of this wonderful health supplement to heal your pain and eliminate your anxiety.