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Your Guide to Iowa Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The Medical Cannabidiol Act of Iowa was approved in 2017, making CBD and THC products available to any Iowan who acquires a medicinal marijuana card under the state’s medical marijuana program. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to be a game-changing treatment for those suffering from chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other severe illnesses.
Iowa medical cannabis can only be obtained lawfully through licensed dispensaries overseen by the Iowa Department of Public Health. This degree of supervision guarantees that you only receive medical-grade cannabis that has been grown according to stringent standards.
If you’ve been diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying conditions and have a valid Iowa medical marijuana card, purchasing medicinal marijuana from medical cannabis dispensaries in Iowa is a quick and easy process.
Where Can You Buy Iowa Medical Marijuana?
Currently, there are five dispensaries established in Iowa. MedPharm Iowa is in charge of their cannabis’s cultivation, packaging, and distribution. Cash or debit card payments are required.
These five dispensaries are:
- Bud and Mary’s Dispensary-MedPharm in Sioux City
- Iowa Cannabis Company East in Iowa City
- Iowa Cannabis Company West in Council Bluffs
- Bud and Mary’s Dispensary-MedPharm in Windsor Heights
- Iowa Cannabis Company in Waterloo
Because these five dispensaries may not always have the same inventory on hand, it’s important to phone ahead to confirm product availability. To expedite your visit, you can place orders by phone for in-store pickup. However, you must still present your medicinal marijuana card.
Iowa law allows you to buy 4.5 grams of THC every 90 days. Patients with terminal illnesses or with a physician’s waiver confirming their need for more than 4.5 grams are exempt from that purchasing restriction.
What’s it Like Buying Medical Marijuana in Iowa?
In Iowa, the purchasing process is simple. Iowa dispensaries recommend making an appointment ahead of time, although they all allow walk-ins. At the check-in counter, a representative will verify your medical marijuana card and ID.
If you are visiting a dispensary for the first time, they will conduct a 15 to 30 minute preliminary consultation. You’ll have to complete an intake form, which may be downloaded and completed prior to visiting the dispensary. Based on your treatment objectives and medical history, a consultant will analyze your medical history and suggest the sort of products and dosages appropriate for you. Discuss your other medical prescriptions with the consultant to rule out any potential contraindications.
You won’t be required to undergo a consultation at each subsequent dispensary visit. Staff members at dispensaries are always ready to respond to inquiries and offer suggestions concerning medicinal cannabis.
Tips for Purchasing Medical Marijuana Products
Iowa dispensaries sell cannabis in the following forms:
- Oral tablets, capsules, liquids, tinctures, and under-the-tongue applications
- Topical gels, creams, ointments, lotions, and skin patches
- Nebulizable forms which are inhaled (vapes)
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories
- Vaporization
Nebulizing and vaping often produce the fastest results. Oral products often provide the longest-lasting results.
The personnel at your local dispensary can advise you on the best type of product for you. Starting with a modest dosage of medicinal marijuana is advisable for new patients. Depending on how you respond to the medication, you can then increase your dosage and frequency of usage.
If you are unable to go to a dispensary due to a handicap, your physician may appoint a caregiver to obtain and possess medicinal marijuana on your behalf. To purchase items from Iowa dispensaries, this person must first register for a caregiver card.
You should have your marijuana registration card with you at all times, especially if you have cannabis items on you. Iowa dispensaries keep track of your purchases and label them with your patient ID number, which is also on your card. You can only possess and consume cannabis that you have bought for yourself or that your caregiver has bought for you.
Need Help Applying for an Iowa Medical Marijuana Card?
Do you have any more questions about acquiring and using a medical marijuana card in Iowa? Contact the Sanctuary to learn more about the application process and to be put in touch with a local healthcare practitioner.