Iowa cannabis policy update and call to action

Urge Gov. Reynolds to allow home delivery of cannabidiol.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration has taken some steps to preserve safe access to medical cannabidiol during this time of social distancing: Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program is allowing curbside pickup during the pandemic and is encouraging telemedicine consultations. However, we are disappointed the governor has not taken other steps, including allowing home delivery.

Please take a moment to urge the governor to allow home delivery during the crisis.

Meanwhile, the medical cannabidiol program is facing a structural problem. Iowa only allows cannabis extracts with no more than 3% THC content. This leaves behind patients whose conditions benefit from greater concentrations of THC, and it has created a program so restrictive that businesses are not economically viable. Two of the state’s five dispensaries recently shuttered their doors as a result.

Last year, Gov. Reynolds vetoed a bill to replace the 3% THC cap with a per-person limit of 25 grams every 90 days. Then, before the legislature convened this year, the Medical Cannabidiol Board recommended the legislature remove the THC potency cap and replace it with a purchasing limit of 4.5 grams of THC over 90 days.

Although bills were introduced to upgrade the limited medical marijuana program, to decriminalize marijuana, and to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults, none have passed. The legislature was scheduled to adjourn on April 21, but it has suspended its session due to COVID-19 until April 30.

While there does not appear to be any real prospect of marijuana policy reform legislation passing this year, you can still make a difference. Please write Gov. Reynolds in support of home delivery. You can go the extra mile by spreading the word to others, calling her office at (515) 281-5211, or making an appeal on Twitter.

We wish you and your loved ones well during these difficult times.