Iowa’s medical marijuana program is 10 years old. How does it compare with other states?
Ten years ago this month, Iowa policymakers made it legal to use cannabis for certain medical treatment, marking the start of what would eventually become Iowa’s existing medical cannabidiol program.
In April 2014, state lawmakers approved legislation to allow certain patients to use cannabis oil for their health condition. It was the first time a state law allowed Iowans to use marijuana products for their medical care.
Iowa policymakers have since opened the door further and established Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program to oversee the cultivation, manufacturing and sale of cannabis products to a greater number of patients with qualifying medical conditions.
But a decade later, Iowa’s program remains one of the most restrictive in the nation — even as more than 50,000 Iowans have participated since it launched in 2018.
Regulatory officials overseeing the state cannabidiol program say a tight framework is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Iowans.
Advocates, on the other hand, say the program’s restrictions means patients in Iowa can’t access the full benefits of cannabis products.
Here’s a look back on Iowa’s history with cannabis, and how the state program compares with others nationwide.
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