While CBD is a relatively new addition to the wellness industry, it has already gained immense popularity among health-oriented individuals all over the world. This is in no small part thanks to the wide range of potential benefits that cannabidiol can provide – from promoting good mental health to supporting your physical well-being.

However, the relative novelty of CBD products means that there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the topic. Many people are simply too scared to use something they know next to nothing about. This is especially true when it comes to the legality of CBD and its associated products.

To help people understand CBD better, below, we’ll discuss the legal status of cannabidiol in Iowa and the wider US. We will also explain how you can buy CBD products in the state and inform you of certain do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when using cannabidiol.

Read the article and help us dispel harmful myths about CBD!

Why Do People Doubt the Legality of CBD? 

Before we delve into the details of the legal status of cannabidiol in Iowa, it is worth mentioning what makes this topic so complicated in the first place. After all, CBD is readily sold in Iowa and many other US states, so why do so many people distrust it? 

While the general confusion mentioned above plays a big role in the issue, one of the main reasons for people’s uncertainty is that CBD can be found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, which is still illegal in many states for its association with marijuana. 

Those who don’t know a lot about CBD often confuse it with its cousin, Delta-9 THC. This is the chemical compound responsible for marijuana’s potent psychoactive effects and its illegal status. 

However, it’s important to understand that CBD and Delta-9 THC are entirely different compounds. Unlike Delta-9 THC, CBD has no intoxicating properties at all. That means you could consume a lot of it and still enjoy full control over your body and mind. 

What’s the Legality of CBD on a Federal Level? 

Cannabis has a long history of being demonized by the US government, starting from the 1970s when the Controlled Substances Act was passed under President Nixon. However, the tides have been slowly turning in recent years, particularly for CBD. 

Decades-long research into cannabis has led to a greater understanding of its capabilities and effects. This research effort has proven beyond doubt that various cannabinoids (including cannabidiol) have the potential to support the mental and physical well-being of humans.

2014

The first major breakthrough came with the 2014 Farm Bill, which made it possible for higher education organizations and state agricultural departments to grow and study hemp. This piece of legislation also specified the levels of Delta-9 THC in legal industrial hemp to be no more than 0.3%.

2018

2018 was the biggest year for CBD. First, in June 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an oral medicine for the treatment of two rare and severe forms of epilepsy – Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

This wouldn’t be anything special if it wasn’t for the fact that this medicine contains CBD. As of now, it still remains the only cannabidiol-based product endorsed by the FDA. 

December 20, 2018 saw the enactment of perhaps the most important CBD-related act. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, thereby making many hemp-derived cannabinoids and CBD legal on a federal level, provided the products such as CBD oil contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by weight. 

This means hemp-derived CBD is available for purchase and use in most US states. However, in practice, things are a bit more complicated, as each state has its own CBD laws. 

Is CBD Legal in Iowa? 

Iowa CBD laws were practically non-existent for a long time. The first serious piece of legislation that acknowledged cannabidiol was the 2014 Medical Cannabidiol Act. Under this act, CBD products were legal to use by patients with certain conditions (e.g., intractable epilepsy). 

Unfortunately, the bill was quite restrictive – only products with a THC level of no more than 3% by weight were legal, and patients were only allowed to possess up to 32 ounces of CBD oil. 

This state of things continued for years, with even House File 524 (revision of manufacturing regulations and hemp sales) not doing much to improve the situation. The 2019 Iowa Hemp Act theoretically allowed for the production of hemp, but it didn’t take effect until 2020. 

In June 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new bill – House File 2581 – that recognized hemp as an agricultural commodity legal for both sale and consumption. This meant stores could now offer federally-compliant CBD products (up to 0.3% of Delta-9 THC), while customers gained the ability to buy CBD goods made outside of the state. 

However, while this bill largely made CBD legal in the state, it’s important to note that Iowa CBD laws are still very strict, often more so than in other US states. 

To illustrate the point, cannabidiol products used for inhalation (e.g., CBD smokeables) are illegal to possess, use or manufacture in the state. Any violation could be punishable by a hundred-dollar fine or even a jail sentence. 

Conclusion 

As you can see, thanks to the relatively recent changes, CBD is mostly legal in Iowa. The main thing you need to remember is that as long as your CBD product contains no more than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC, it should be legal to use in the state. While certain exceptions exist, most CBD products fall under that category. 

Of course, it’s always best to check with your local authorities to make sure there have been no changes in the laws.

Keep in mind that many stores also have their own age restrictions, so it’s generally a good idea to bring your ID with you when you go shopping for CBD oil or other products. 

We hope this article helped you understand the legality of CBD in Iowa better and cleared some misconceptions you may have had. Good luck using CBD to support your health and well-being!