How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Iowa
Schedule an Evaluation with a Certified Physician
Schedule an appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
Receive Your Doctor’s Recommendation
Once your doctor approves you for medical marijuana, they’ll email you an electronic recommendation that you can use to shop at Iowa dispensaries.
Apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (Optional)
If you want the legal protection and tax benefits of a Iowa medical marijuana identification card (MMIC), you can apply for one in person at the health department in your home county. The cost of an MMIC varies from county to county.
Iowa Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
To get certified for an MMJ card in Iowa, you must be diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying conditions. Those conditions are as follows:
- AIDS or HIV
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- 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
- Cancer (all forms)
- Chronic or intractable pain
- Corticobasal Degeneration
- Crohn’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures
- Severe, intractable autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Severe, intractable pediatric autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Ulcerative colitis
Where Can I Buy Medical Marijuana in Iowa?
There are five medical marijuana dispensaries operating in Iowa. As a registered patient or caregiver, you can purchase a variety of products, including edibles, topicals, vapes, and tinctures. Each cardholder can buy up to 4.5 grams of THC per 90-day period.
About Iowa Cannabis Program
The Iowa medical marijuana program was established in 2014 with the signing of the Medical Cannabidiol Act. This legislation legalized the use of low-THC cannabidiol oil for patients with intractable epilepsy. Over the years, the program has expanded to include more qualifying medical conditions and authorized dispensaries.
To participate in the program, patients must obtain certification from a licensed healthcare provider, register with the Iowa Department of Public Health, and receive a medical cannabis registration card. Authorized dispensaries provide patients with various cannabis products, including tinctures, vapes, topicals, and edibles.
How to Renew Your Card in Iowa
In Iowa, medical marijuana patients must renew their MMJ cards annually. To renew your card, complete the following steps:
- Schedule Your Renewal Appointment:Book with with a licensed physician.
- Receive Your Doctor’s Recommendation: Once your doctor approves you for medical marijuana, they’ll email you a new electronic recommendation that you can use to continue shopping at Iowa dispensaries.
- Apply for a New Medical Marijuana Identification Card (Optional): If you want the legal protection and tax benefits of a Iowa medical marijuana identification card (MMIC), you can apply for a new one in person at the health department in your home county. The cost of renewing an MMIC varies from county to county.
How to Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in IA
In Iowa, a caregiver is someone whom a qualifying medical marijuana patient designates to help them with the purchase and administration of medical marijuana. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old and residents of Iowa or a neighboring state.
To become a caregiver in Iowa, complete the following steps:
- Submit Your Application: Submit a caregiver application through the OMC caregiver portal. The state charges a $25 fee.
- Receive Your Card: Once your application is approved, the state will email you a temporary caregiver card, and a hard copy will be mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can get your Iowa MMJ card online. The state allows doctor's evaluations to be conducted via telemedicine.
The Iowa Department of Public Health charges a $100 application fee for medical marijuana cards. This does not include the cost of your doctor's evaluation.
Once your application is approved, the state will email you with your digital MMJ card to the email address listed on your account. This usually takes 24 hours, but may take up to 3-5 business day. As of July 2022, patients will no longer receive physical cards.
No, Iowa doesn't issue MMJ cards for anxiety.
Yes, Iowa minors can obtain an MMJ card as long as a parent or legal guardian provides consent and acts as their primary caregiver.
In Iowa, patients with a valid MMJ card can purchase up to 4.5 grams of THC per 90-day period.
No, visiting an Iowa dispensary without a medical card is not permitted.
Iowa medical marijuana patients are not permitted to grow their own cannabis plants.
No, Iowa does not recognize MMJ cards issued by other states.
Whether you can use your Iowa MMJ card in another state will depend on that state's reciprocity laws. Some states honor out-of-state medical cards, while others don't. Be sure to research other states' cannabis legislation before traveling.
No, recreational marijuana is not legal in Iowa.
To renew your Iowa medical card, you must first schedule a renewal evaluation with a medical marijuana doctor. Once you get certified, you can submit an application for a new MMJ card through the OMC portal.
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