Iowa Gov. Signs Bill Limiting Concentration in Hemp-Derived CBD, THC Products

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) last week signed a bill imposing THC caps on intoxicating hemp products and other industry reforms, the Times-Republican reports. The law, which takes effect July 1, limits THC content to 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container. 

In an interview with the Times-Republican, Tyler Underberg, the owner of Pure Releaf, said the measure will ban every single THC product the business sells. He added that the majority of his customers are between 50- and 95-years-old and use CBD products, which are also limited under the law, for “relief from pain, anxiety, for sleep.” Underberg noted that he had already removed THC products from his shelves.  

“No one sells CBD single servings,” he said in the report. “For a tincture, you don’t buy a dropper full. [The container limit] will make all products on the market obsolete.”

Josh Brown, manager of Marshall Tobacco and Vape Outlet, told the Times-Republican that the law will take all but two hemp products from his shelves.

“I don’t understand why we’re going backwards. I have people come in here with cancer, broken bones, people who have all kinds of different, serious medical illnesses that would rather lean on cannabis products and THC than take pharmaceuticals.” — Brown to the Times-Republican 

Brown added that all of the products’ packaging indicate they are not for sale for individuals under 18 and that he doesn’t sell to anyone under 21 – and he doesn’t believe that any Iowa retailers sell to individuals under 21.  

“If you call any store at all in Iowa, I guarantee you 100 percent, they will tell you the exact same thing,” he told the Times-Republican. “So, how are minors getting a hold of it? What’s going on is parents are buying it for their kids so they are not going out and getting stuff off the street. That’s exactly what’s happening, and has been happening since the dawn of alcohol.” 

State Rep. Sue Cahill (D) said that the businesses “got the shaft” and that “the healthcare purposes of the products were not taken into consideration.” 

Retailers have filed a class action lawsuit against the law which is still moving through the courts.