Certain types of cannabis products that contain Delta 9 THC are legal in Iowa—but there’s a catch. As of July 2024, there are strict new regulations on potency, age restrictions, and labeling.
Disclaimer: The information in this article was accurate when published, but may be outdated. Always confirm state and federal regulations for yourself.
In Iowa, only hemp-derived gummies that contain 4 mg or less THC per serving AND no more than 10 mg THC total per package are legal under current state regulations. Because of these restrictions, our gummies are not currently available in Iowa since our packages contain more than 10 mg THC per container, even though the serving sizes of some of our THC gummies fall within the state's limits.
On April 8, 2020, Iowa received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement its state hemp program. This makes it legal to grow, possess, buy, or sell hemp in this state. With this approval, Iowa joins the majority of states that have already regulated the legality of hemp and hemp-derived products.
Iowa followed up with similar state legislation authorizing the use of Delta 9 THC products that meet Farm Bill criteria.
The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the widespread production of hemp-derived products on a federal level and removed hemp from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) list of Controlled Substances. The Bill differentiated industrial hemp from marijuana, which is cultivated for its high THC content.
According to the Farm Bill, Delta 9 THC products are legal on a federal level in the US, provided they meet the following conditions:
1. The Delta 9 THC is derived from hemp.
2. Products contain 0.3% or less of THC by dry weight.
The 2018 Farm Bill gives states the authority to submit plans to the United States Secretary of Agriculture to have primary regulatory control over the production of hemp within their borders. The plans must include procedures for tracking the land on which hemp will be grown, as well as testing, disposal, enforcement, inspection, and certification procedures.
Even though hemp is federally legal, each state can determine which hemp-derived products are legal in said state. For example, Delta 8 gummies are legal on a federal level but illegal in 14 U.S. states. Learn more through our state-by-state Delta 9 legality guide.
Iowa's journey with hemp regulation began in 2019 following the federal 2018 Farm Bill. Through a series of laws and updates, the state has created a comprehensive framework for hemp cultivation and sales. Here's how it developed:
1. Following the 2018 federal Farm Bill, Iowa's Senate approved Senate File 2398, the Iowa Industrial Hemp Act, on March 14, 2019, establishing the basic framework for hemp cultivation and processing in the state.
2. The Iowa Industrial Hemp Act required regular testing of hemp plants to make sure the THC levels are legal and specifically prohibited using hemp for medical cannabidiol (CBD) production.
3. The Act created the Industrial Hemp Commodity Program under the Department of Agriculture and the Industrial Hemp Production Program under the Board of Regents to oversee hemp operations.
4. Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 599 on May 13, 2019, officially launching hemp production in Iowa.
5. In 2020, Iowa received USDA approval for its hemp program. This allowed farmers to grow up to 40 acres of hemp with THC levels at or below 0.3%.
6. As of July 1, 2024, House File 2605 implemented new restrictions: consumable hemp products must contain no more than 4 mg THC per serving and 10 mg per container, sales are limited to age 21+, warning labels are required, and synthetic THC is prohibited.
These regulations allow Iowa residents to safely access hemp products that meet state guidelines. Our Sleep Plus gummies comply with only half of Iowa's requirements, offering 2 mg of THC per serving plus 25 mg of CBD to support restful sleep.
We can't ship to Iowa because of the package THC limits, but your neighbors in legal states can enjoy free shipping on all orders.
Iowa has a highly restrictive medical cannabis program called the Medical Cannabidiol Program. Only certain forms of medical cannabis are legal: capsules, tinctures, and lotions, but not smokable products or raw flowers. The state has approved just two manufacturers, and home growing is strictly prohibited.
Outside the medical program, Iowa allows hemp-derived products under strict new regulations (as of July 2024): consumables must contain no more than 4 mg THC per serving and 10 mg per container, with sales limited to those 21 and older.
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Iowa, and the state maintains strict CBD regulations. All CBD products can be purchased through the medical program at licensed dispensaries or from retailers complying with the new hemp product guidelines.
Delta 9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound found naturally in hemp and marijuana plants. While these plants are related, hemp contains much lower levels of Delta 9. Hemp plants must contain 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to be federally legal, while marijuana typically contains much higher concentrations.
All THC compounds produce psychoactive effects and make you feel high at a sufficient dosage, with Delta 9 THC providing the strongest impact.
Delta 9 THC interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) to produce effects such as relaxation, euphoria, sleep improvement, and pain relief. Small, measured amounts of Delta 9 produce therapeutic benefits while minimizing stronger psychoactive impacts. But even small amounts of THC can affect different people differently depending on the user’s body weight, metabolism, tolerance level, and previous experience with THC products.
If you're neighboring where Delta 9 is legal, we'll ship all our THC edibles to you for free. Order our Energy gummies with only 2.5 mg of THC per serving and enjoy the taste, the chill vibes, and the balance of focus and relaxation.
Delta 9 offers different experiences depending on the amount consumed. Lower doses provide gentle therapeutic benefits and mood enhancement, while higher doses produce more pronounced effects and may be more intense and intoxicating. The intensity also depends on your metabolism, body weight, and previous experience with THC products.
Common effects of Delta 9 THC include:
- A sense of well-being and happiness.
- Enhanced relaxation and calmness.
- Increased sociability and creativity.
- Improved appetite and food enjoyment.
- Physical comfort and tension relief.
- Better sleep quality.
- Reduced inflammation.
- Relief from anxiety and stress.
- Mild euphoric feelings.
To get the most from Delta 9 THC, it may take some experimentation to find your ideal dose. Start with a small amount to understand your body's response before exploring different levels of effects.
As a result of Iowa's latest regulations, our Delta 9 gummies exceed the state's 10 mg THC per package limit, even though the serving sizes of some of our delicious products (2–2.5 mg) fall within state guidelines. While we can't currently ship to Iowa, our products remain available in many surrounding states where Delta 9 is legal.
Our gummies continue to meet all federal standards, featuring premium American hemp, vegan ingredients, natural fruit flavors, and rigorous third-party testing with lab results on our website.
In addition to Delta 9 edibles, we offer vegan CBD gummies that contain small amounts of Delta 9. Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain CBD and THC, working together to enhance your body's natural response to stress, sleep, and daily wellness. If you are looking for gummies to help you fall asleep, full-spectrum gummies should be your top choice.
Free Nationwide Shipping ... Always :)
Delta 9 THC produces stronger effects than Delta 8 THC. The molecular structure of Delta 8 has a slight difference in its chemical bond placement, which results in milder euphoric effects when interacting with the body's CB1 receptors.
According to a 2023 research article, the effects of Delta 8 are milder than Delta 9, which prompted the researchers to dub this minor cannabinoid “Delta 9’s younger sibling.” Because of their milder effects, gummies with Delta 8 are a great choice for people new to products containing hemp.
For newcomers to hemp-derived products, Delta 8's more subtle effects provide an ideal starting point before exploring stronger options.
The federal hemp law established by the 2018 Farm Bill created important legal distinctions for hemp cultivation and hemp-derived products. Under federal guidelines, hemp products containing Delta 9 THC concentration of no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis are federally legal.
While most states align with these federal legislation standards for hemp-derived Delta 9 products, state cannabis laws vary. Currently, 48 states permit the sale of hemp products meeting these concentration limits, with Idaho and Kansas maintaining stricter regulations that prohibit these products.
You can fly domestically with hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products that meet federal requirements. Hemp-derived Delta 9 gummies that comply with federal guidelines (containing less than 0.3% THC) are legally transportable between 48 U.S. states, excluding Kansas and Idaho.
When traveling internationally, consumable hemp alternatives face different legal distinctions worldwide. Many countries classify these products as controlled or hallucinogenic substances, which makes their transport illegal regardless of their compliance with U.S. standards.
Delta 9 itself isn't classified as indica or sativa. These terms describe different types of cannabis plants, each with their distinctive effects and therapeutic benefits. If you buy a Delta 9 product, what matters more is whether it's energizing like sativa or relaxing like indica. The THC molecule is the same either way; the different effects come from other compounds in the product.
Standard drug tests detect Delta 9 THC and its metabolites, regardless of whether they come from legal hemp products or other cannabis products. The presence of THC can be detected for approximately 30 days after use, depending on the frequency of use and individual metabolism. This applies to all hemp-derived THC products, even those purchased legally from hemp retailers or smoke shops. If you know you have a drug test coming up for work, stop using any THC products at least a month before to allow the substances to clear from your system.
While Delta 9 is legal in Iowa when certain conditions are met, Iowa is one of the few states in America that has banned Delta 8. In 2021, Iowa banned all products that contain Delta 8 THC by specifically listing it as a Schedule I controlled substance. This means buying, selling, or possessing them is illegal in Iowa, regardless of whether they're derived from hemp.
The state considers Delta 8 to be a synthetic conversion of CBD, which falls outside the legal protections of the Farm Bill. This ban applies to all forms of Delta 8 including gummies, vapes, tinctures, and other products.
For those new to hemp-derived cannabinoids, 5 mg of Delta 9 THC is a moderate dose with noticeable psychoactive effects. 5 mg might be perfect for some users seeking therapeutic effects, but others may find it too intense. Most people start with 2–3 mg to understand their tolerance. Delta 9's psychotropic effects vary based on individual factors, and its therapeutic potential is best explored at lower doses.
HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is not legal in Iowa. HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid created by adding hydrogen molecules to THC. It produces effects similar to Delta 9 but typically milder and with a slightly different chemical structure.
Like Delta 8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids that require synthetic conversion, HHC falls outside legal product categories under Iowa law. The state strictly regulates cannabis compounds and considers modified cannabinoids as controlled substances.
While the hemp industry continues to develop new compounds, Iowa maintains tight restrictions on legal delta products, focusing primarily on naturally occurring Delta 9 THC from hemp within specific concentration limits.
Delta 9 is the strongest legal cannabinoid because of its unique chemical structure and how it interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the body. Its molecular structure, particularly the double bond position on the ninth carbon chain, creates potent psychoactive effects.
While other legal cannabinoids offer their own therapeutic potential, Delta 9's pharmacological activity makes it the most powerful for medicinal purposes and potential health benefits.
You can legally grow hemp in Iowa with proper licensing. Hemp cannot be grown for medical purposes or CBD production. Following the 2018 hemp legislation, individual farmers can cultivate up to 40 acres of hemp crops after receiving approval through the state's hemp production program. Growers must maintain Delta 9 concentration below 0.3% on a dry weight basis, verified by official laboratory testing.
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