CBD Oil in Iowa: What Are the Current Laws?

Disclaimer: All of the information in this guide is based on our own research into the topic. We have done our best to use accurate and up-to-date information from respected and credible resources. However, we cannot claim to be a legal authority, and none of the following information should be taken as legal advice. 

A Guide to CBD Oil in Iowa 

• Iowa laws are some of the most confusing in the country.
• Despite regulations, shops are selling CBD across the state.
• Iowa’s hemp-growing program is new for 2020, and growers must obtain a license through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
• Iowa has implemented a medical cannabidiol program for those who qualify.
• There are only three medical cannabidiol dispensaries in the whole state. 

Is CBD Oil Legal in Iowa?

When it comes to the legality of CBD, few lines are clearly drawn. Iowa is one state where this is doubly true. The Hawkeye State has strict laws requiring dispensary registrations to sell and prescriptions to purchase, yet there are retailers all over Iowa carrying CBD oil and other products. 

If you’re confused about whether you can legally use CBD in Iowa, you’re not alone. Despite individual states adopting their own regulations, people are consuming CBD products at an ever-growing pace no matter where they live. You can find CBD of all types in a variety of formulas, and the products are easy to purchase almost everywhere. 

The confusion begins with the federal government’s slow and incomplete regulation, and it trickles down to state and local levels.

Passed in 2018, the Farm Bill was supposed to clear things up for people once and for all, differentiating industrial hemp from marijuana and legalizing the farming and processing of hemp and its products. But the Food and Drug Administration seemed unprepared for the explosion of a new market and has created a legal gray area surrounding CBD.

To make matters worse, states can adopt their own laws related to hemp and CBD—which may or may not be in alignment with federal laws—and it is usually up to local authorities to enforce restrictions. In this article, we will do our best to clear up some of the confusion about CBD in Iowa so you can make decisions you feel confident about.

Are There CBD Laws in Iowa?

It is a good idea to check out government websites as the legal landscape is always changing, but they do not always make things abundantly clear. Additionally, they are not often as up-to-date as the laws themselves. As of right now in Iowa, patients can purchase medical-grade cannabidiol from dispensaries with a prescription.

The state recently passed legislation allowing farms to grow hemp, and there are a couple of state-licensed processing facilities as well. Iowa is behind most states in the country regarding its adoption of comprehensive programs facilitating a viable hemp product market, but lawmakers are making progress.

CBD in Iowa: Understanding Different Types of CBD Products

CBD Oil

CBD oil is one of the most widely recognized forms of CBD on the market. In order to get your daily dose, you simply squeeze a dropperful under your tongue and hold it there for a minute or two, allowing it to absorb. Some people also like to add CBD oil to their morning coffee; you can add it to the food or beverage of your preference. 

Penguin offers CBD oil in four delicious flavors as well as unflavored, and you are sure to find a product that fits your needs on our website. Our CBD oil comes in doses of 250mg, 600mg and 1,000mg per bottle, which gives you a perfect dosage range whether you are just getting started or have been taking CBD for years.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules come in a wide range of doses, depending on which company you purchase from. Make sure you are only buying your capsules from the most reputable companies in order to get an effective product you can count on.

When you order your CBD capsules from Penguin, you can find our third-party lab results verifying that our products are exactly what we advertise. Our CBD capsules come in a 10mg strength so you have complete control over your premeasured dose every time.

CBD Gummies

The midafternoon slump is a bummer unless you’ve got a great snack to help you through. CBD gummies are a perfect discreet way of getting your afternoon dose of CBD, and waking up your taste buds at the same time. 

CBD gummies are difficult to get right, and some brands taste bitter or have an off-putting texture. But our customers rave over Penguin’s CBD gummies. They are made with CBD isolate, which helps reduce the earthy flavor inherent in hemp products, and they offer the perfect combination of soft and chewy. 

CBD Cream

When you really want to feel like you’re at the spa, CBD cream will immerse your senses in a relaxing experience that locks in moisture and helps you keep your radiance.

At Penguin CBD, we start with a shea and cocoa butter base, then infuse the cream with soothing lavender and cooling peppermint for the ultimate treat for your skin. You deserve to pamper yourself, and our CBD cream is perfect for an at-home spa day.

Industrial Hemp in Iowa

The 2018 Farm Bill means that it is now legal at the federal level to grow and process industrial hemp and its products. The bill specifies that hemp containing 0.3 percent or less THC qualifies as industrial hemp, and takes all products derived from the plant off the list of controlled substances. 

States have the right to choose whether or not to adopt the new federal regulations, but they must work with the United States Department of Agriculture if they choose to grow hemp and want to be in compliance with federal law.

Before the 2018 Farm Bill, a 2014 provision allowed states to develop a hemp-growing pilot program for research purposes. Growers were not allowed to produce hemp commercially, but could work with universities to develop best growing practices for each state.

Iowa chose not to participate in the research pilot programs, so there is little information about the best ways to grow hemp in the state. However, there is a great deal of interest among growers. 2020 is the first year that Iowa’s hemp program is officially underway, and it will be interesting to see how things pan out.

Farmers who wish to grow hemp in Iowa must submit a license application to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and they are encouraged to ensure there is a viable market for their crops before planting.

The Iowa attorney general has made it clear that though this new legislation takes hemp products off the state’s controlled-substances list, laws will still be enforced in compliance with federal regulations.