Is CBD oil legal in Iowa? If you’re asking yourself this question, you’ve come to the right place!
The US cannabis laws can be really confusing sometimes. Depending on the substance that you’re using, you may or may not be scrutinized by the government.
Things got a bit better with the introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill, according to which hemp is no longer concerned as a controlled substance. Unfortunately, this hasn’t removed all the legal issues surrounding hemp and marijuana. Now, we’re facing a problem where hemp is legal on the federal level but may still be criminalized on the state level.
Having said that, a lot of people are wondering whether CBD oil is legal in Iowa. The simple answer would be no, but let’s elaborate that a bit further. Let’s dive in!
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol refers to a powerful wellness substance that is extracted from the hemp plant. It is one of the numerous cannabinoid chemical compounds that can found within it. Besides CBD, most of these products have other cannabinoids like THC, CBG, CBN, but they might also have terpenes and flavonoids.
Although this biodiversity is great, it can also pose some issues. For example, a lot of people are uncertain what kind of an impact they can expect if they switch from one product to another. At this point, these products are not properly regulated, so you can add basically anything to a CBD item during manufacturing.
So much so that some cannabidiol products can barely be called CBD. This is why it’s very important to check the label as well as lab testing results posted on the manufacturer’s website.
Why is CBD still illegal in some states?
In order to understand why CBD oil isn’t legal in Iowa, you need to understand the overall problems with this substance. Back in 1970, all plants from the cannabis family were criminalized according to the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Based on our knowledge back then, it was believed that these substances could lead to psychedelic effects, and conversely, they didn’t have any beneficial properties.
As our knowledge of marijuana and hemp changed, the authorities became more receptive to the idea of cannabis as a wellness substance.
The farm bill from 2018
In 2018, the landscape of the cannabis and hemp market changed once again with the introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill. One of the most important things that this bill did was making a distinction between hemp and marijuana.
According to it, hemp products are all the items that have less than 0.3% THC content, while marijuana is everything above that percentage. Marijuana stayed illegal, while hemp became a legal substance.
Another thing that was regulated with this bill was the production and sale of hemp-based substances; now, farmers can grow and distribute this plant however they wish.
Although this sounds awesome, the US FDA has retained full control over labeling and claims. For example, you cannot advertise CBD products as supplements, drugs, or something that may assist with medical issues.
They are mainly perceived as wellness items. You also need to be transparent when it comes to labeling and ingredients. Lastly, you cannot manufacture CBD foods and dietary supplements.
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, every state is able to enact its own hemp laws, regardless of federal law. This is precisely what happened with Iowa.
Is CBD oil legal in Iowa? Iowa CBD laws
Even before the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, Iowa started working on its own set of cannabis laws. In 2014, they enacted a legislature known as Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act. According to it, CBD products can be used by people who have intractable epilepsy.
The only restriction is for a product to have less than 0.3% THC. Although this seemed like a great step forward in legalizing the substance category, it came with a minor problem: there was no place to buy this product!
The problem was partially solved in 2017 when Iowa made an effort to create a regulatory framework that would streamline production, distribution, and sales. In order to get one of these products, you still need a medical CBD card. At that moment, there were only 5 dispensaries where you could get these substances.
Based on all of this, CBD can be used by medical patients. However, that doesn’t make it legal for everyone. The state legislation is currently working on a hemp program that would allow regulation and production of CBD in Iowa.
For now, these products are classified as illegal substances. As already mentioned, you need to be a part of the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program to gain access to them.
What if I’m caught in possession of CBD in Iowa?
Although CBD oil is legal in Iowa for medical patients, that doesn’t mean there are no restrictions.
First off, you need to have a qualifying condition and medical card to even access the substance. After that, you need to buy the product within Iowa state limits, and it needs to have less than 0.3% THC. You also need to be careful when it comes to administration: you can only take the substance orally or topically.
If you get caught in possession of cannabis, it will be regarded as a misdemeanor. The penalty may vary based on the fact whether this is your first offense or you’re a repeatable offender.
The first offense can result in up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The second offense is harsher with up to a $1,875 fine and up to 1 year in jail.
Finding the right CBD product in Iowa
Purchasing CBD products in Iowa is very streamlined, so if you have a medical card, you shouldn’t have a lot of issues buying these items. You can buy these products in just a few places.
If you need an additional suggestion, you can get it during purchasing. Otherwise, you should consult a medical professional who prescribed cannabidiol in the first place.
We urge you to avoid purchasing CBD oil of your own accord. The penalties are pretty strict, and it is simply not worth it. This also means that you should shy away from purchasing CBD and THC products online.