On May 13, 2019, Iowa’s governor signed the Iowa Hemp Act. Many supporters saw this as an opportunity for products containing hemp-derived Cannabidiol (CBD) to be manufactured, sold and bought within the state.
Months later however, the legality of CBD products remains murky. So much so, Iowa’s Office of the Attorney General went out of its way address the issue.
For now, CBD is still considered a controlled substance
As part of the Iowa Hemp Act, the state will no longer consider CBD products with less than 0.3% THC (the chemical in a marijuana plant that results in the high) a controlled substance. But the actual implementation of this new law is still some time away.
While the act was signed in the spring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs to approve Iowa’s plan, according to the Des Moines Register. That isn’t expected to happen until sometime in the fall of 2019.
Until then, any over-the-counter products that contain CBD may still be considered a controlled substance, and therefore against the law.
Not all CBD products will be legal
Even once the change comes into effect, not all CBD products will become legal. Federal regulations currently bar hemp-derived CBD from being in products meant for human consumption – such as food, drink and supplements. Products such as lotions and creams, however, will be OK.
The Iowa attorney general also does not expect hemp production to be legal in the state until the 2020 growing season at the earliest.
With so much still in flux, it’s important to stay informed and protect yourself. If you are planning to buy, sell or manufacture products containing hemp-derived CBD, be aware that it may not be legal for months to come. Even then, the legalities surrounding certain CBD products may remain opaque.
