Are THC Gummies Legal in Iowa?

The Basics: Hemp-Derived vs. Marijuana-Derived THC Gummies

Many searchers or potential customers are confused about all of the different types of THC edibles available both online and in dispensaries. So, before we just into the legality of THC gummies in Iowa, we're going to clear up the difference between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived THC products.

To start, both hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant. Oftentimes "cannabis" and "marijuana" get conflated. Cannabis is the genus of the plant, and it serves as the umbrella term for both both hemp and marijuana. 

These two plants look very similar, but are different in shape, size and THC concentration. Think of mandarines vs. oranges... same same but different. 

Hemp-derived THC comes from the hemp plant, which contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, per federal law established in the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp is usually cultivated for industrial purposes (paper, diesel fuel, textiles) but you can also make THC edibles out of its extract! 

These hemp products are legal federally and, under Iowa law, are permitted with some specific restrictions. We'll dive into those in a bit. 

On the other hand, marijuana-derived THC originates from marijuana plants, which generally contain higher THC concentrations. Marijuana is specifically cultivated for drug and medicinal purposes. 

It's important to note that the raw material THC extracted from both plants are chemically identical. At the end of the day it's a chemical compound... so exactly the same. 

In Iowa, marijuana-derived THC products are tightly regulated and primarily limited to medical purposes (with some caveats). Recreational marijuana and its derivatives remain illegal in the state.

The Legal Status of Marijuana-Derived THC Gummies in Iowa

In Iowa, marijuana-derived THC gummies are strictly prohibited for recreational use. This means they are highly illegal and you can wind up in legal trouble with the possession or consumption of these gummies. 

That being said, there is a limited exception for medical patients through the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program, which permits qualifying patients to access certain cannabis products with a physician's recommendation.

Even for medical users, the law is restrictive:

Medical Use Limitations:

Iowa’s program only allows the use of products containing cannabidiol (CBD) with a small amount of THC For example: full-spectrum CBD edibles like CBD gummies online here at Sunday Scaries. OR, if the patient decides they want marijuana-extracted THC, they have a limit of 4.5g per 90 days. 

In order to exceed this, patients in Iowa must fill out and submit a separate waiver form beyond the normal registration application. 

This restriction means that patients with medical conditions qualifying for marjiuana treatment are limited in accessing THC-rich products, as the state mandates low-THC formulations.

Gummies and other edibles with high THC levels from marijuana are strictly prohibited.

No Recreational Allowance:

Recreational marijuana use remains fully illegal in Iowa, and there are no provisions in place to make marijuana-derived THC legal for general consumption for the public.

These limitations leave many patients advocating for broader medical marijuana access, but for now, marijuana-derived THC gummies are off the table for most Iowans.

It's a big reason why Iowans have recently decided to buy THC gummies online that are derived from hemp. Especially since they can ship right to their front doorstep. 

The Legal Status of Hemp-Derived THC Gummies in Iowa

Iowa allows the sale and use of hemp-derived THC gummies, such as delta-9 gummies for sale on the internet.

However, new regulations have imposed additional controls. In 2024, Iowa lawmakers passed HF 2605, a bill that introduced more rigid restrictions on hemp products containing THC:

• Quantity Limits: The new law sets a maximum of 4 mg of THC per serving and a maximum of 10 mg of THC per package. These limits apply to all hemp-derived products sold in the state. The big issue with this is that many states have their own state-specific limits, making it incredibly hard on hemp companies to sell products that abide by each one. 

• Age Restrictions: HF 2605 also established a minimum age requirement, making it illegal to sell hemp-derived THC edibles to anyone under the age of 21. This restriction aligns with similar regulations seen across other states that have implemented age limits for cannabinoid products and follows suit with the sale of alcohol. 

The Lawsuit: Hemp Companies Challenge HF 2605

While HF 2605 is now in effect, it has been met with resistance from the hemp industry. In response to these limitations, many companies have filed a lawsuit against the state of Iowa.

The companies in our space argue that the new restrictions, particularly the quantity limits, unfairly stifle business operations and make it incredibly challenging to serve their customers effectively.

Imagine selling a generic supplement, like Vitamin C, for example. And for each state you sell in you have to place different amounts of Vitamin C in each of your capsules. It would be a supply chain nightmare and would create a ton of customer confusion on what dosing is the most effective.

This is what's happening in the hemp world. 

The lawsuit contends that HF 2605’s stringent limits on THC concentration in hemp-derived products place an undue burden on hemp businesses.

These companies argue that Iowa’s law goes beyond federal restrictions established by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and its derivatives but did not set such specific concentration limits for individual servings and packages.

What makes this so ludicrous is that a dosing limit per gummy or package doesn't really prevent consumers from taking more. For example, instead of taking 1 gummy they can take 3 gummies to reach a more potent "high". 

The case will have significant implications for the industry in Iowa and other states where legislation is pending.

If the hemp companies win, hopefully it might pave the way for more lenient THC limits in hemp-derived products across the state and the US. 

Medical CBD in Iowa: Legal with Limitations

In addition to hemp-derived THC, Iowa has also legalized medical CBD derived from marijuana. However, it’s important to note that this does not extend to THC-heavy products.

Medical CBD is available only to patients with qualifying conditions and must adhere to the state’s low-THC cap.

This is part of Iowa's broader strategy to maintain tight control over cannabinoid products while offering limited support to patients who need medical cannabis.

CBD, like THC, is a chemical compound. So, whether it's derived from hemp or marijuana it is the exact same thing. 

Again, this is why many consumers are turning to e-commerce hemp brands online to purchase their gummies (both CBD and THC). 

The Future of THC Gummies in Iowa: Potential Changes Ahead?

Advocacy groups in Iowa continue to forge ahead for expanded access to medical marijuana, as well as reforms to allow for the sale of recreational marijuana. 

That being said, Iowa continues to remain one of the more restrictive and conservative states regarding THC and cannabis in general.

Their primary focus seems to be limiting recreational use at all costs and imposing aggressive controls on medical consumption.

Conclusion

While hemp-derived THC gummies are legal with quantity limits and age restrictions, marijuana-derived THC gummies remain tightly restricted to low-THC, medical CBD-only formulations for qualified patients.

As of 2024, the current regulations are in effect, but the ongoing lawsuit by hemp companies could lead to further changes in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are THC gummies legal in other states?

For a comprehensive list and detailed map of the legality of THC gummies, check out our master article: Are THC Gummies Legal?