The new law marks a seismic shift in the state’s position on marijuana, allowing the plant — which remains illegal under federal law — to be grown within the state and processed into cannabis oil that has a tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, content of up to 3 percent. THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis that makes recreational users high.
It creates a framework for marijuana growing, manufacturing and distributing companies to submit proposals to the state, and allows the Department of Public Health to approve up to two manufacturers and up to five distributors for operation.
The AP reported Friday that in-state dispensaries could be established by December 2018, and that the state is working out an arrangement with Minnesota to make cannabis oil available to Iowans in the interim.
A new Medical Cannabidiol Advisory Board will be established within the Department of Public Health to oversee the program. The board could recommend adding or removing conditions eligible for treatment with cannabis oil and offer recommendations to the Legislature to raise the 3-percent cap on the THC limits.It looks like seven companies have filed a total of 21 applications with the Iowa Department of Public Health to open marijuana dispensaries throughout Iowa, though only five licenses are expected to be awarded. Four applications were filed in both Sioux City and Davenport; three were filed in both Des Moines and Council Bluffs, and single applications were filed in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, Urbandale, Waterloo, and Windsor Heights.
According to this article, these dispensaries will not be permitted to sell any products that can be smoked or eaten. Products also cannot contain more than 3% THC.
Only 305 Iowans have obtained cards that allow them to possess marijuana products for medical purposes.