On June 29, 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill (HF 2589) that expands the list of medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis preparations, revises the amount of THC that can be possessed, and makes other changes — both good and bad — to the program. The new law, which took effect on July 1, will:

• Revise the 3% THC cap to instead allow products with a total of 4.5 grams of THC every 90 days, with exceptions for cases where providers specify a specific, greater quantity is needed
• Add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism with self-harm to the list of qualifying conditions
• Allow any patient with “chronic pain” — instead of “untreatable pain” — to qualify, thus greatly expanding the number of pain patients who qualify
• Allow podiatrists, physicians' assistants, and advance practice nurses to recommend cannabis
• Removes the Department of Transportation’s role in ID cards
• Allow property owners and employers to ban medical cannabis use and provides that workers' compensation and health care do not have to cover medical cannabis

For more details about the law, as amended, see our summary.

In 2019, Gov. Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have allowed patients purchase medical cannabis preparations with up to 25 grams of THC over 90 days. The current default limit — 4.5 grams every 90 days — is insufficient for many patients.

Sadly, two of the state’s five medical cannabidiol dispensaries permanently closed in spring 2020. One owner noted that operating was not economically viable. Iowa’s law continues to have some major shortcomings that drive up prices, including that it prohibits cannabis in its natural, flower form. Iowa borders Illinois, where cannabis preparations — including flower — are available to any adult who is 21 or older.