Iowa’s medical marijuana program was created in 2014. It began as a very limited program, but was expanded in 2017 and 2020. Today, we’ll go through the process of how to get a medical marijuana card in Iowa in 2022.
Does Iowa Have Medical Marijuana?
Yes, Iowa has medical marijuana! Initially, when the Iowa MMJ program was introduced, patients were limited to low-THC preparations. This changed in 2020, and Iowa now allows patients access to higher-THC preparations. However, only medical marijuana preparations are legal in Iowa. Raw MMJ flower is still currently prohibited.
How Easy Is It To Get A Medical Card In Iowa?
The Iowa medical marijuana program is user-friendly, and getting a medical card in Iowa is a straightforward process. The list of qualifying conditions for Iowa MMJ is relatively long and inclusive.
Can You Get A Medical Card Online In Iowa?
The quickest and easiest way to apply for an Iowa medical marijuana card is online at the Iowa Office of Medical Cannabidiol website.
How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Iowa
So, how do I get my Iowa MMJ card in 2022? The first step is to have a telemedicine consultation with an Iowa MMJ doctor. This can be done at the MMJRecs online clinic. The doctor will complete the Practitioner Certification Form and email it to you within two business days.
Once you’ve received your patient certification from the doctor, you will need to fill out an online patient application for the medical marijuana program on the Iowa State website. You will include a copy of a valid state-issued driver’s license or ID and the necessary payment.
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Card In Iowa In 2022?
The following medical conditions qualify a person for MMJ treatment in Iowa in 2022:
- Cancer – if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting
- Seizures
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Multiple sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms
- AIDS or HIV
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year – if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting
- Ulcerative colitis
- Severe, intractable autism (pediatric or adult) with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Corticobasal degeneration
How Much Does A Medical Card Cost In Iowa?
The standard state application fee for an Iowa MMJ card is $100. The fee will be reduced to $25 if you can provide a copy of a Social Security Disability Benefit notice, proof of receipt of Supplemental Security Income Payment, an Iowa Medicaid member card, or a Hawk-I member card.
Where Can You Buy Medical Marijuana In Iowa?
You can purchase medical marijuana in one of Iowa’s MMJ dispensaries. Medical marijuana dispensaries are operating in five locations spread across the state.
How Many Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Are In Iowa?
Iowa law allows only five medical marijuana dispensaries and two licensed MMJ manufacturers. Iowa MMJ dispensaries are located in Iowa City, Waterloo, Des Moines, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs.
What MMJ Products Are Available In Iowa?
The following medical marijuana products are available in Iowa:
- Oral tablets, capsules, liquids, and tinctures
- Topical gels, ointments, creams, lotions, and transdermal patches
- Vapes
- Suppositories – rectal and vaginal
Medical marijuana flower and home cultivation are illegal in Iowa. All medical marijuana products in Iowa are labeled with a CBD:THC ratio for easy identification.
How Much MMJ Can You Legally Possess In Iowa?
Iowa medical marijuana patients are allowed to buy MMJ products containing up to a total of 4.5 grams of THC in a 90-day period. A patient can be exempt from this rule if they have a terminal illness or if their doctor signs a waiver form.
Does Iowa Practice Medical Marijuana Card Reciprocity?
Out-of-state medical marijuana patients with valid MMJ cards from their home states can possess and use MMJ in Iowa, but they are not able to purchase MMJ products from an Iowa dispensary.
Featured image by Austin Goode on Unsplash