New Iowa Hemp Restrictions Now in Effect

New Iowa regulations that restrict the sale and potency of consumable hemp products took effect on Wednesday after a legislative committee opted not to pause the rulemaking process, The Gazette reports. The law is subject to a federal lawsuit brought by a group of hemp companies seeking to block it from taking effect; however, a judge has not yet issued a ruling on the case. 

The law, signed into law in May, limits THC content to 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container, requires warning labels and that the products conform to packaging standards. The law also bans the sale of synthetic consumable hemp products to minors.     

During the Tuesday hearing, hemp businesses urged lawmakers to pause the rulemaking process. Scott Selix, co-founder of beverage manufacturer Climbing Kites, argued that the state Department of Health and Human Services should not be deciding what a “serving” is and that products his company already has being manufactured aren’t compliant with the new rules, which were unveiled only at the Tuesday meeting and set to take effect just the next day.    

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that I have no idea how to comply with this law. … The department has refused to answer my questions.” — Selix, during the hearing, via The Gazette 

Members of the Administrative Rules Review Committee could have implemented a 70-day pause on the rules, delayed them until the next legislative session, or filed a formal objection. State Sen. Cindy Winckler (D) had proposed a 70-day pause so businesses could conform with the rules; however, the proposal was rejected by Republicans on the panel.