Iowa Law Center

Green Guide Iowa

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Iowa at a glance

Program: Medical program
Legal allotment: 4.5 g of THC per rolling 90 days
Qualifying conditions: 13 listed conditions
Out-of-state cards: Not accepted

The figures above are re-checked against Iowa's official program sources every month.

Iowa's Medical Cannabis Program is administered by the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services. Patients with a qualifying condition may obtain a written certification from a licensed Iowa physician and register with the program. The program uses a rolling 90-day THC allotment — each patient's authorized allotment is set by their practitioner (default 4.5g of THC per 90 days; a higher amount may be certified if medically necessary) and tracked over a rolling 90-day window.

Official Program

Laws of Iowa

Every law and official source for Iowa, each linked to the page that publishes it.

Official Iowa cannabis law & rules

Allotment Trainer

4.5 g of THC per rolling 90 days Learn how it works and track your balance here.

Licensed places in Iowa

6 licensed places are on record in {name} — licensed shops, consumption lounges, cannabis clubs and cannabis-friendly venues.

Iowa Cannabis Company — Iowa City
Iowa Cannabis Company — Council Bluffs
Bud & Mary's — Sioux City

See every Iowa listing

Key Rules

Possession

Possession is limited to the patient's authorized 90-day allotment of THC (default 4.5g; higher if medically necessary), as certified by the practitioner and tracked by the dispensary.

Transportation

Medical cannabis must be in its original packaging and kept in the vehicle's trunk or a sealed container out of reach of the driver during transport.

Employment

Iowa law does not require employers to accommodate medical cannabis use. Consult your employer's policy and an attorney for your situation.

Travel

Medical cannabis may not be taken across state lines, including into states with their own programs. Doing so violates federal law.

Renewal

Patient registrations must be renewed periodically. The 90-day THC allotment resets on a rolling basis — each purchase becomes available again exactly 90 days after it was made.

Qualifying Conditions

Cancer (if determined by the patient's practitioner to be severe or chronic)Multiple sclerosisSeizures (including epilepsy)AIDS or HIVCrohn's diseaseAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)Parkinson's diseaseHuntington's diseaseTerminal illness (life expectancy under 12 months)Chronic pain (severe or intractable, as determined by practitioner)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Severe, persistent muscle spasmsAny other condition a practitioner certifies in writing

Frequently Asked Questions

How much THC can I purchase?

Your authorized 90-day allotment is set by your practitioner in your certification (default 4.5g of THC; higher if medically necessary). Track it in the Allotment Trainer.

How does the rolling 90-day window work?

Each purchase is 'allocated' for 90 days from the purchase date. After 90 days, that exact amount returns to your available balance.

Where can I buy medical cannabis in Iowa?

Only at licensed Iowa dispensaries. Use the official program page for the current list of licensed dispensaries.

Can I grow my own?

No. Personal cultivation is not permitted under Iowa's program.

Iowa community board

Public Hearing Set for Iowa Schedule III Proposal
A public hearing is scheduled for October 20 at 10 a.m. to discuss the proposed rescheduling of medical cannabis products in Iowa. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy notes this could reduce the threat of federal enforcement for registered patients. Have you ever attended or submitted comments for a state public hearing?
No wonder why they needed COKE -a-COLA back then. lol
No wonder why they needed COKE -a-COLA back then. lol
Hearing Scheduled for Iowa Schedule III Proposal
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing scheduled a public hearing for October 20 to discuss moving medical cannabis to Schedule III. The proposal covers marijuana extracts and naturally derived delta-9 THC in state-approved products. Have you ever participated in a public hearing for our state's medical program?

Open the Iowa board