Is Iowa's medical marijuana industry growing too fast?

Added on 02 February 2024

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Is Iowa's medical marijuana industry growing too fast?

The state board overseeing Iowa's medical marijuana program has again asked Iowa lawmakers to legislate more oversight on telehealth providers participating in the program, among a number of other policy recommendations.

The request comes several months after the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board raised concerns that these virtual health care providers play a role in the rise of waivers on the program's purchasing limits on THC, or the main psychoactive component in marijuana that gives users a "high."

It also comes as board members continue to express larger concerns about entities within the program working to find loopholes within the strict guidelines to allow for broader use.

“Iowa’s program was designed to be limited, controlled and rational with evidence-based medicine,” said Dr. Robert Shreck, a member of the Medical Cannabidiol Board and a retired oncologist. "My personal and professional objection to the way things are going has to do with euphoria. You do not need to become stoned to get the medical benefits of cannabis.”

The state board has released its 2023 annual report, which includes policy recommendations to the Iowa Legislature and data on the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program's use over the past year.