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Iowa cannabis information

Learn more about medical cannabis in Iowa.

Looking for answers? Learn about Iowa’s medical cannabis program, how to find an Iowa doctor for a med card, and more below.

Finding a doctor

An Iowa licensed Doctor, MD, or ARNP needs to sign your application. The most commonly approved condition is chronic pain. Many patients get their med card in minutes online.

A prescription is not required for medical cannabis in Iowa, however a medical card is needed to purchase products. A healthcare practitioner needs to "certify" that a patient's condition is valid using the HHS application.  Any Iowa-licensed MD, DO, ARNP, PA, APRN, or podiatrist in Iowa can sign an application, but they are not required to do so. Some healthcare providers offer virtual consultations for applying for a cannabis card in Iowa.

In order to get a cannabis card in Iowa, your healthcare practitioner will need to sign your application to certify that you have one of the qualifying conditions. Healthcare providers are not required to sign. If your provider does not want to sign, you are allowed to see another provider to get certified. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services maintains a list of participating doctors. If you are having trouble finding one, you can call and request contact info for an appropriate healthcare practitioner near you. Virtual options are also available here. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will process the application and provide your medical card.

You must have certification of your qualifying medical condition from a healthcare practitioner to be approved for a medical cannabis card. If you are having trouble finding a healthcare practitioner, you can call and request contact info for an appropriate healthcare practitioner near you. Virtual options are also available here.

Eligibility

If you’re an Iowan of any age who suffers from one of the qualifying medical conditions for medicinal cannabis treatment, such as cancer or chronic pain, you may be eligible to become a patient. 

To register for a medical cannabis card, get certification from your healthcare practitioner and apply online.

Get certification from your healthcare practitioner and apply online.

You are eligible to apply for a medical cannabidiol registration card if you:

  • Are a permanent resident of Iowa
  • Suffer from a qualifying medical condition which is certified by a healthcare practitioner

    • Most of our patients quality with chronic pain or PTSD

 

Chronic pain is a broad condition that covers many diagnoses and is the most commonly approved condition to obtain a medical cannabis card.

Iowa program

Iowa’s medical cannabis program began in 2018, and allows for full THC and CBD products grown in Iowa to be sold in licensed dispensaries.

To register for a medical cannabis card, get certification from your healthcare practitioner and apply online.

Individuals can obtain a card at the age of 18. For minors, they must have an approved adult caregiver.

You must provide a clear copy of valid photo identification and documentation that shows your permanent Iowa address, including one of the following:

  • Valid Iowa driver’s license
  • Valid Iowa non-operator’s identification card
  • Valid Iowa voter registration card
  • Current Iowa vehicle registration certificate
  • Utility bill
  • Statement from a financial institution
  • Residential lease agreement
  • Check or pay stub from an employer
  • Child’s school or childcare enrollment document
  • Valid documentation establishing a filing of homestead or military tax exemption on property located in Iowa
  • Other valid documentation as deemed acceptable by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to establish residency
  • Valid state-issued driver’s license or non-operator’s identification card issued by a state other than Iowa (for primary caregiver applicants who do not reside in Iowa)

If you are eligible for a reduced application fee ($25), you must provide a clear copy of documentation showing proof of veteran status, Social Security Disability Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or are a member of Iowa Medicaid or Hawk-I.

Yes, the state requires a fee to be registered in the system with a standard rate of $100 unless you qualify for a reduced fee of $25. You can qualify for a reduced fee if you have proof of veteran status, Social Security Disability Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or are a member of Iowa Medicaid or Hawk-I.

The fee can be paid online with debit, credit or HSA card.

A medical cannabidiol registration card is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed annually. Cardholders must submit a renewal application and fee to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at least 60 days prior to the date of expiration. A cardholder who fails to renew the medical cannabidiol registration card may not legally possess medical cannabidiol.

Health insurers are not required to cover the cost of medical cannabidiol.

Yes. You must have current government-issued identification ready at the door when you check in, along with your medical cannabidiol registration card.

Only people with valid Iowa medical cannabidiol registration cards may pick up medical cannabidiol from an Iowa dispensary. Cardholders who are not under the care of a primary caregiver must pick up their own medical cannabidiol. The only people qualified to pick up medical cannabidiol for someone else’s treatment are those who’ve obtained a primary caregiver registration card.

No. A medical cannabidiol registration card only authorizes the person associated with the card to obtain medical cannabidiol from a dispensary.

No. It is illegal for patients and/or caregivers to cultivate their own cannabis plants. Bud & Mary's is one of two licensed manufacturers in the state of Iowa to grow cannabis for the purpose of producing medical cannabis.

No. Iowa patients may only obtain legal medical cannabidiol from Iowa-licensed dispensaries and may not possess or use any cannabidiol produced out of state.

No. Only Iowa patients with valid medical cannabidiol registration cards may obtain medical cannabidiol from Iowa dispensaries.

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You must be at least 21 or be a valid medical cardholder to enter this site.

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