DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Senate passed many bills on Tuesday, including two aimed at regulating hemp products containing THC and doubling licensure for state medical cannabis dispensaries.
In March, the Senate placed the first bill on their "Unfinished Business List" so they could reintroduce the legislation at a later time while keeping it alive through the end of the second "funnel week."
The legislation amends the current Iowa Hemp Act, and adds an age threshold (21) for purchasing consumable hemp products containing THC, which is the main psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant.
"The Iowa Hemp Act, or the program that we're talking about here today, needs to be at a milligram usage less than our medical cannabidiol program, otherwise the lines are blurred," argued Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Pottawattamie. Dawson is also the Senate floor manager for the bill.
THC serving limits would cap out at 4 mg under this bill, and 10 mg per container — a limit many business owners say isn't feasible with their current products. The bill also requires warning labels to be placed on packaging, similar to alcoholic beverages.
The bill passed through the House on March 12, and passed through the Senate floor Tuesday, meaning it now awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature.
A second bill that passed through the legislature Tuesday would allow the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to double the licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries in the state of Iowa from five to 10, providing more access to individuals who need specific medications containing THC or CBD.
Sen. Scott Webster, R-Scott County, said this legislation would "be beneficial to prices within the state of Iowa as they can scale better by having more and more licenses."
Medical cannabis dispensers say they are content with some aspects of the legislation and related bills, but it doesn't do enough reform if the state wants to make their services sustainable long term.
"Patient numbers are declining and we really think that is because there are so many other options, you know, Minnesota is coming here with rec[reational], and Missouri is there. Illinois is there," explained Bud & Mary's group president Lucas Nelson.
That bill now advances to the House for debate.