Looking for answers? Learn about Iowa's medical cannabis program, Bud & Mary's name changing from MedPharm Iowa, how to find an Iowa doctor for a med card, and more below.
An Iowa licensed Doctor, MD, or ARNP needs to sign your application. The most commonly approved condition is chronic pain. Many patients get their med card in minutes online.
A prescription is not required for a medical cannabis in Iowa, however a medical card is needed to purchase products. A healthcare practitioner needs to "certify" that a patient's condition is valid using the IDPH application. Any Iowa licensed MD, DO, ARNP, PA, APRN or podiatrist in Iowa can sign an application, but they are not required to do so. Some healthcare institutions such as Presto Doctor offer virtual consultations for applying for a cannabis card in Iowa.
In order to get a cannabis card in Iowa your healthcare practitioner will need to sign your application to certify that you have one of the qualifying conditions. Healthcare providers are not required to sign. If you provider does not want to sign, you are allowed to see another provider to get certified. The Iowa Department of Public Health keeps a list of participating doctors. If you are having trouble finding one you can call and request contact info for an appropriate healthcare practitioners near you. Virtual options are also available here. The Iowa Department of Public Health will process the application and provide your medical card.
Many healthcare practitioners in Iowa are still not interested in considering cannabis as a method of symptom relief. You can’t be approved for a medical cannabis card without certification of your medical condition from a healthcare practitioner. If you are having trouble finding one you can call and request contact info for an appropriate healthcare practitioner near you. Virtual options are also available here.
If you’re an Iowan of any age who suffers from one of the qualifying medical conditions for medicinal cannabis treatment, such as cancer or chronic pain, you may be eligible to become a patient. Find a doctor to sign your application today!
To register for a medical cannabidiol registration card. Get certification from your healthcare practitioner. Apply online. Visit a dispensary.
Get certification from your healthcare practitioner. Apply online. Visit a dispensary.
You are eligible to apply for a medical cannabidiol registration card if you:
Chronic pain is a broad condition that covers many diagnoses and is the most commonly approved condition for medical cannabis.
Iowa's medical cannabis program began in 2018, and allows for full THC and CBD products grown in Iowa to be sold in licensed dispensaries.
To register for a medical cannabidiol registration card. Get certification from your healthcare practitioner. Apply online. Visit a dispensary.
Individuals can get a card at 18. For minors, they must have an approved adult caregiver.
You must provide a clear copy of valid photo identification and documentation that shows your permanent Iowa address, including one of the following:
If you are eligible for a reduced application fee ($25), you must provide a clear copy of documentation showing that you receive social security disability benefits or supplemental security income payments or are a member of Iowa Medicaid.
Fee can be paid via online registration with debit, credit or HSA card.
A medical cannabidiol registration card is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed annually. Cardholders must submit a renewal application and fee to the Iowa Department of Public Health at least 60 days prior to the date of expiration. A cardholder who fails to renew the medical cannabidiol registration card may not legally possess medical cannabidiol.
Health insurers are not required to cover the cost of medical cannabidiol.
Yes. You must have your valid registration card ready at the door when you check in.
Yes. You must have current government-issued identification ready at the door when you check in, along with your medical cannabidiol registration card.
Only people with valid Iowa medical cannabidiol registration cards may pick up medical cannabidiol from an Iowa dispensary. Cardholders who are not under the care of a primary caregiver must pick up their own medical cannabidiol. The only people qualified to pick up medical cannabidiol for someone else’s treatment are those who’ve obtained a primary caregiver registration card.
No. A medical cannabidiol registration card only authorizes the person associated with the card to obtain medical cannabidiol from a dispensary.
No. It is illegal for patients and/or caregivers to cultivate their own cannabis plants. Only Bud & Mary's is licensed in the state of Iowa to grow cannabis for the purpose of producing medical cannabidiol.
No. Iowa patients may only obtain legal medical cannabidiol from Iowa-licensed dispensaries and may not possess or use any cannabidiol produced out of state.
No. Only Iowa patients with valid medical cannabidiol registration cards may obtain medical cannabidiol from Iowa dispensaries.
Although both hemp oil and CBD oil can be derived from the hemp plant, CBD oil comes from the flowers, leave and stalks, while hemp oil comes from the seeds. Hemp oil does not have the medicinal benefits of CBD oil. CBD oil can also be derived from cannabis, while hemp oil can only be derived from the industrial hemp plant.