Iowa Medical Marijuana

Updated on November 5, 2019.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program Contact Details:

Iowa State Department of Public Health
Office Of Medical Cannabidiol
Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Phone: (515) 725-2076
Website: Department Of Public Health: Office of Medical Cannabidiol
Contact Form: DPH: OMC

Medical Cannabidiol Program Iowa

• Must be a resident of Iowa with a valid Iowa I.D. as proof of residency
• Obtain a copy of your medical records indicating that you are diagnosed with a qualifying condition. Learn how to request your medical records
• Obtain written documentation from a physician licensed in the state of Iowa that you are a qualifying patient. Be sure to bring your medical records with you to your appointment.
• Apply for and receive a Medical Medical Cannabidiol Card from the state of Iowa.

Possession and Cultivation Regulations

Presently, possession of marijuana is treated as a misdemeanor. First-time offenders are required to spend six months in jail or pay a fine of $1,000. Second-time offenders will be punished by serving a jail term of 12 months and may be required to pay a fine that ranges between $315 to $1,875.

Third-time offenders will spend two years in jail and could pay a fine as high as $6,250. Chronic abusers of cannabis may be required to go to a drug rehab center. A person found with marijuana within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, high school or public park will be punished with 100 hours of community service.

Planting 50kg of marijuana is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine that ranges between $750 to $7,500. Cultivating 50kg to 100kg could attract a maximum fine of $50,000 and a 10-year jail term.

House File 524 allows companies approved by the Department of Public Health to produce and sell cannabis oil with tetrahydrocannabinol content up to 3%. House File 524 was signed by the governor in May 2017.

Regulations for possession and cultivation are expected to change in 2018 with the expansion of the medical marijuana program.

Iowa Qualification

Find out Who Qualifies for Medical Cannabidiol in Iowa in our definitive guide of Iowa’s qualification guidelines. Read up on medical conditions that are covered under Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol program, age restrictions, criminal conviction restrictions, and more. You’ll also find the related details on age limits and regulations for caregivers.

Iowa Medical Marijuana Laws

Read Iowa’s Full Medical Marijuana Laws to gain full specific knowledge of Iowa’s exact legal guidelines without interpretation. They’ve been written in an easy-to-understand format, so you won’t need an attorney to interpret them for you. You can also print a copy to take with you when you visit your doctor. You can also learn about Iowa’s CBD program.

Iowa Medical Marijuana Card

Get all the answers to frequently asked questions about Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol registry card. You need to be properly registered and obtain your medical marijuana card before you can be qualified to use cannabis for medical treatment. Our guide will show you how you can successfully apply for this card and receive it without delay.

Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Facts

This is where you can locate all the important facts about Medical Cannabidiol in the state of Iowa. If you want to separate the truth from myths, you should read this compilation of facts about Medical Cannabidiol in Iowa.

Find Licensed Iowa “Marijuana Doctors” Now

You need to obtain a written certification from a licensed doctor in Iowa before you’ll be allowed to use medical cannabis. Your physician will also have to write a prescription to specify the quantity of cannabis you should buy from a drug store. That is why we’ve built a network of experienced and reliable Medical Cannabidiol doctors to help you:

• Experience the Simplicity and Speed of Our Search System – Find Medical Cannabidiol Doctors quickly and efficiently by entering your zip code. A list of qualified doctors working close to your residence will appear. You may also select a city to see all the doctors in our network for that city.

• Assess the Profile of Our Doctors – Review the profiles of the physicians you’re planning to visit. We’ve made it easy for you to view details about their operating hours, service fees and the time it will take them to complete the process of diagnosis and certification.

• Book a Quick Appointment Today – Choose a physician and request a quick booking for an appointment. Right from your home, you can schedule a date to see your doctor by clicking the “Request Appointment” button.

Locate Approved Dispensaries in Iowa

After you have been registered for Medical Cannabidiol in Iowa, you’ll be allowed to visit any approved pharmacy to buy your recommended dose of medical cannabis. We’ve created a directory of Iowa approved dispensaries where you can easily order for prescription as well as:

• Find Detailed Information on Marijuana Dispensaries – Every Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Dispensary we list in our directory is accompanied by details such as location and operating hours. We also provide information on how to order your marijuana and get it delivered.
• Book an Appointment – From the comfort of your home, you can use our fast and efficient system to book an appointment with any of the dispensaries in our directory.

Recent Legislation Changes

In December 2018, five dispensaries will open to service Iowa patients across the state. Patients will be able to get cannabidiol with less than 3% THC content. CBD will be available in oral, topical, nebulizable inhalants, and suppository forms.

On March 2, 2017, the Iowa Legislature approved a bill that will permit the limited state Medical Cannabidiol program to continue indefinitely. The SF 282 bill does not increase the list of ailments that Iowans can use Medical Cannabidiol to treat. It won’t legalize the production and distribution of the oil until federal authorities have approved a version that is currently being tested by the FDA and some pharmaceutical companies.

However, the people advocating for Medical Cannabidiol want an expanded program that will permit its use for a longer list of ailments. Only epilepsy patients are presently allowed to use cannabis oil with less than 3% CBD. Since 2014, when the current Medical Cannabidiol program was passed into law by the Legislature, only 132 people have obtained registry cards to use cannabis oil.

Many more Iowans are now in support of the use of Medical Cannabidiol. The Des Moines register poll published in February 2017 showed that 80 percent of Iowans support legalization of marijuana for medical use. This is higher than the 58 percent that favored its use in a poll conducted in 2013.

In response to this poll, a new Medical Cannabidiol advisory board was formed in September 2017. The eight appointed members of this board will be responsible for determining how Iowa will expand its Medical Cannabidiol program and what conditions will qualify for patients for certification. The department is also in charge of lining up producers and dispensaries, which are expected to be licensed in January 2018 and April 2018 respectively.

As of November 2017, Iowa chose its first Medical Cannabidiol manufacturer and grower. MedPharm Iowa LLC, owned by Kemin Industry and based out of Des Moines, will be the only company in the state of Iowa to have a cannabidiol manufacturing license.