Iowa lawmakers have advanced legislation, House File 990 (HF 990), to Governor Kim Reynolds that would double the number of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries operating in the state. The bill, which seeks to expand patient access to medical cannabis dispensaries, was approved by the House of Representatives with an 88-5 vote last month and previously cleared the Senate in a 42-5 tally. It now awaits action from Governor Reynolds, who can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.
Under current Iowa statutes, the state’s medical cannabis program permits only five dispensaries. HF 990 proposes to increase this allowance to ten locations.
The proposed expansion of medical cannabis dispensaries has been supported by advocacy groups and state advisory bodies. Bridget Spiddle, Public Policy and Communications Coordinator for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), stated in an action alert that the reform represents “a vital step in expanding medical cannabis access for one of the most restrictive medical cannabis programs in the country.” Spiddle highlighted the disparity in access compared to pharmacies, noting that “rural Iowans have to expend enormous amounts of time and resources on costly travel to receive their medicine,” according to a report by Marijuana Moment.
The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board, which oversees the state’s medical cannabis program, also recommended an increase in licenses in its 2023 report. The board’s recommendation was made “in an effort to provide Iowans with greater geographical access to medical cannabis products.”
The existing program in Iowa permits patients with specific qualifying conditions to obtain cannabis products containing no more than 4.5 grams of THC every 90 days. Cannabis flower and smoking are not permitted. However, healthcare practitioners can authorize higher THC amounts for terminally ill patients or those with program experience for whom the standard limit is deemed insufficient.
Separately, Iowa lawmakers are also considering a bill this session to establish a state-regulated therapeutic psilocybin program for patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This follows Governor Reynolds’ veto last year of different legislation that would have allowed doctors to immediately prescribe a synthetic form of psilocybin upon federal approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The governor cited concerns that the previous bill “surrenders state authority to make an informed determination about classification to federal officials.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
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