Iowa Recreational & Medical Marijuana Laws

Iowa marijuana laws

In 2014, Iowa became one of the few states to legalize the possession and use of Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive extract found naturally in marijuana plants. Until then, the use of Cannabidiol is restricted to patients with intractable epilepsy. The law only provides a positive defense for individuals and their caregivers if they are accused of possessing the extract. Use is so limited that most of the medical marijuana advocates do not consider Iowa and states such exceptions for limited use of seizures to be cases that have legalized medical marijuana. As a result, the chances of providing medical marijuana to residents are usually on the road to the drug’s decriminalization. However, this is not true in Iowa.

For the rest of the state, possession, and sale of marijuana remains illegal in Iowa. Selling marijuana in the state is a felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison, depending on the amount of marijuana, the location of the sale, and the criminal history of the accused.

Iowa medical marijuana law

Eligible conditions now include cancer, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, and Parkinson’s. The initial law allowed a maximum of 3% THC in the product. This was changed to a maximum of 4.5 g THC every 90 days. If a patient needs more THC to treat their condition, or if the patient is in an emergency, they can get an exemption from the limits on the amount of THC they can legally carry. Smoking cannabis is still illegal in Iowa, even for medical marijuana patients. You must be 18 or older to qualify for the Iowa Medical CBD program.

Iowa law on recreational use

The marijuana in Iowa is illegal for recreational use if it is classified as marijuana. Still, consumer hemp products, including CBD products, are legal for consumers to own and registered retailers to sell. The possession of even small amounts of the marijuana is a misdemeanor offense. In addition, the state has a medical CBD program for severe medical conditions that allow for the legal possession of products containing 3% or less THC.

Iowa law on the use of CBD oils

Yes, as long as it comes from the industrial hemp and contains 0.3% THC or less. Although the CBD is the same compound regardless of its source, the CBD oils and other products can have different ratios of the CBD to THC depending on how they were produced. The CBD oil extracted from marijuana plants will contain a large amount of THC, the intoxicating cannabis. Products derived from marijuana can make a user high and are not federally legal. Hemp is naturally low in the THC and comes with higher concentrations of CBD, which does not have intoxicating properties. The CBD oils produced from hemp plants are legal in all 50 states.

Iowa marijuana penalties

The possession of any amount of marijuana in Iowa is a misdemeanor. First offenders will face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Penalties for the second offense include a year in prison, a fine of $315 to $1,875, or both. Any subsequent violation is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of between $625 and $6,250.

For possession offenses, a judge may order that the defendant be placed on probation rather than imprisoned, with certain conditions, such as participation in drug treatment, rehabilitation, or an educational program. (Iowa Code § 124.401 (5) (2019).)

Violating marijuana possession within 1,000 feet of school property, a public park, a swimming pool, a recreation center, or while on a featured school bus is punishable by an additional 100 hours of community service. (Iowa Code § 124.401B (2019).)

Iowa Law and other US States