Is CBD Legal in Iowa? IA Hemp Laws (2023)

CBD oil is legal in Iowa only if it is hemp-derived. The state follows the laws stated in the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived CBD oil containing 0.3% THC.

This may appear confusing, but if you know about Iowa’s CBD laws, you shouldn’t have any problems.

So, what are the other requirements in the CBD laws of Iowa? Is it legally available in dispensaries?

Let us dig deeper into the state laws surrounding CBD oil and its products within Iowa.

How does hemp-derived CBD fit into Iowa’s law?

Is CBD Oil Legal in Iowa?

Yes, as long as it comes from industrial hemp and contains 0.3% THC or less.

Although CBD is the same compound regardless of its source, CBD oils and other products can have different ratios of CBD to THC depending on how they were produced.

CBD oil extracted from marijuana plants will contain a significant amount of THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid. Marijuana-derived products can get the user high and are federally illegal.

Hemp is naturally low in THC and comes with higher concentrations of CBD, which doesn’t have intoxicating properties. CBD oils produced from hemp plants are legal in all 50 states.

Below we take a look at Iowa’s cannabis laws to clear up potential confusion and dive into the quality standards for CBD products — and why transparency is so important in this unregulated market.

Related: Where Is CBD Legal?

Hemp CBD Oil in Iowa

In 2018, President Trump signed the amended Farm Bill, legalizing hemp on the federal level. Hemp was removed from the list of controlled substances and reclassified as an agricultural commodity.

Hemp plants are grown for a variety of uses, including food, paper, clothes, housing, fuel, and health supplements such as CBD oil.

Individual states can either accept the federal law or put their own strings on the availability of CBD oil.

Unfortunately, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller decided to ban CBD oil for those who are not suffering from a medical condition. In other words, selling and buying CBD products locally without permission is illegal.

Of course, that didn’t stop CBD stores from popping up, but these places are openly breaking the law.

We recommend finding a trusted online store if you want to buy CBD oil in Iowa safely.

Marijuana CBD Oil in Iowa

Currently, marijuana is illegal in Iowa, except for a few limited cases of several medical conditions. Iowa voters have tried to pass a decriminalization bill several times but to no avail.

If you get caught with marijuana in Iowa, you can spend up to 6 months in prison and be charged with a $1000 fine. Subsequent offenses can extend prison time and lead to larger fines.

Recreational users may have a hard time living in Iowa.

But what about medical marijuana patients?

Let’s see.

Can Doctors Prescribe CBD Oil in Iowa?

The state of Iowa has a scarce medical marijuana program. In 2014, Iowa’s lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2360, allowing the possession of CBD oil with a THC concentration of less than 3%. Iowa’s CBD laws were expanded during Governor’s Terry Branstad cadency under House File 524 in 2017.

You can buy marijuana-derived CBD oil in Iowa if you have one of the following conditions:

• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Intractable pain or any terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than one year

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Iowa?

Due to contradictory laws regarding hemp-derived CBD, buying your CBD oil locally in Iowa isn’t the best option because you would instantly break the law even though hemp is federally legal.

Currently, we recommend buying CBD in Iowa through a trusted online store.

Reasons to Buy CBD Online

Products found online are often more affordable than those found locally. Online retailers don’t have to cover the costs related to running a traditional storefront. This means you can take advantage of special offers, bulk pricing, discounts, and reward programs that may be difficult to find somewhere near you.

Online shops also have a greater variety of products to suit different types of consumers. You can find CBD in sublingual drops, capsules, edibles, creams, lotions, wax, vape liquid, and pet products.

Not to mention that buying CBD oil online saves you time by comparing products instantly. You don’t need to drive around the city to compare products and prices.

Local CBD Retailers in Iowa

Although Iowa has stringent regulations on the sales of CBD, you should still be able to find CBD products in places such as vape stores, natural wellness outlets, and head shops.

If you’re one of the lucky few with a medical marijuana card, you can buy CBD oil in one of Iowa’s licensed dispensaries.

CBD Stores in Des Moines

1. Central Iowa Vapors
2. House of Glass
3. Groovy Goods Daydreams

CBD Stores in Cedar Rapids

1. Corner Store Apothecary & More
2. The Cooler
3. Hawkeye Vapor

CBD Stores in Davenport

1. Uptown Vapors
2. East Village Vape Cafe
3. Your CBD Store

Guide to Buying CBD in Iowa

The CBD oil industry is relatively new and lacks regulation when it comes to manufacturing standards. Brands are also liberal in terms of labeling, so finding the right product for the first time can be challenging.

Follow these steps to make it easier:

• First, make sure your CBD oil has been tested by an outside lab. Third-party labs can tell you if there are any unwanted chemicals or additives in CBD oil. They can also tell you if the bottle’s CBD content matches the potency.

• Avoid companies making claims that sound too good to be true. CBD oil is a wonderful health supplement that can improve your quality of life but will not cure any disease.

• Purchase CO2-extracted products. CO2 extraction keeps your CBD as clean as possible because it doesn’t require additional solvents or heat. This is the best method to produce CBD oil.

• Check the hemp source. The best CBD oils in New York are those made from organic, non-GMO hemp. The source of hemp is important because these plants are bioaccumulators; in other words, they absorb every substance from their environment.
• Look for full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum means that your CBD oil contains all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids originally found in the hemp plant. These products are considered superior to isolate-based CBD oils because they leverage the entourage effect, allowing your body to process CBD more efficiently.

Summary: What’s the Best Way to Buy CBD Oil in Iowa?

You can find local dispensaries and shops selling CBD products sourced from hemp. Another good way of buying CBD oil in Iowa is through online stores. You must make sure you buy from a legal and reputable online seller to avoid sub-par quality CBD products.

Although the laws regarding cannabis are tight in Iowa, there are still plenty of options for getting CBD oil into your hands. The state is slowly making progress with its medical marijuana laws, but it seems as though further amendments are far off into the future.

Even if you don’t have a medical marijuana card, you can still legally buy hemp-derived CBD oil as long as it contains 0.3% THC or less. If you’re worried about the quality of in-store products or crossing the law, place your order with a trustworthy online store.

Good luck shopping for CBD oil in Iowa!