Find a Doctor & Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Iowa
Is cannabis legal in Iowa?
Cannabis in Iowa is illegal for recreational use. However, patients can participate in Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol Program. Products may be legally purchased, and possessed by registered Iowa cardholders, and their caregivers.
An Iowa medical marijuana card is called a “medical cannabidiol registration card” and is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
As of 2022, the card is a digital registration cards that live on the cardholder’s mobile device, or they may have a printed version of the card that has been issued to them.
Those who get a medical card in Iowa will recognize that the Iowa medical marijuana program is very limited: no flower (loose leaf, “joints,” etc.) or THC-infused edibles (“gummies,” chocolates, etc.) are allowed within the program.
Do I need a medical marijuana doctor referral to get a medical card?
Yes, the first step to getting a medical marijuana card in Iowa is to book an appointment with a licensed physician in Iowa who can verify that you live with a qualifying medical condition.
Compassionate Clinics of America provides this service to help people get a medical marijuana card in Iowa.
Who qualifies for a medical cannabis card in Iowa?
An Iowa resident over the age of 18 may qualify for Iowa’s medical cannabis program if their Healthcare Practitioner certifies they have one of the following Qualifying Debilitating Medical Conditions:
- Cancer – if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting.
- Seizures
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Multiple Sclerosis with severe and persistent muscle spasms
- AIDS or HIV (as defined in Iowa Code, section 141A.1)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year – if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting
- Ulcerative colitis
- Severe, intractable pediatric autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Severe, intractable autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors
- Corticobasal Degeneration
There is a separate caregiver registration application for those who will be administering medical marijuana to someone else.
How do I get an Iowa medical marijuana card?
There are just a few easy steps to get a medical marijuana card in Iowa. First, you must have a medical marijuana evaluation with a doctor who is registered to be a medical marijuana doctor in Iowa.
Compassionate Clinics of America provides a licensed medical marijuana doctor in Iowa to complete this process.
When you attend your appointment, you will discuss your medical history and any relevant medical records with the doctor and why you want to become a medical marijuana patient.
The licensed physician will review your medical condition and whether it is one of the qualifying conditions for the medical marijuana program.
If the doctor determines you have a qualifying condition, you will receive a medical certification from the medical marijuana doctor that shows they recommend you use cannabis following the state medical marijuana laws.
The form they will do this through is the Healthcare Practitioner Certification Form.
Following getting your certification, adult patients will complete the medical marijuana application with the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Once approved, you will be provided a digital version of the medical registration card from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
What are the benefits of having a medical cannabis card?
The biggest benefit of having your Iowa medical card is legal protection. Unless you have a medical marijuana card, possession of even small amounts of recreational marijuana is a misdemeanor crime.
How much does it cost to get a medical cannabis card in Iowa?
The state requires that medical marijuana patients pay a fee of $100 for an Iowa medical marijuana card.
The cost to get a certification from an Iowa medical marijuana doctor with Compassionate Clinics of America is $199. The cost of a renewal for a certification is $199.
We offer Sezzle payment options to break up the cost into separate, affordable payments.
What information and forms are required when a patient applies for a Medical Marijuana ID card?
You will need to provide photo ID, such as a valid Iowa driver’s license or state ID card. Out-of-state IDs are not accepted, and only Iowa residents with qualifying medical conditions can apply for the program.
You may also need to provide proof of residency, which could include a utility bill, bank statement, or other form of official correspondence.
You will need to have your medical cannabis certification and the Healthcare practitioner certification form as well, which can be provided to Iowa patients by Compassionate Clinics of America.
How long is my ID card valid in Iowa?
The Iowa medical marijuana card is valid for one (1) year and can be renewed annually. Compassionate Clinics of America will notify you in advance when it is time to renew, and you can book another appointment for an online consultation.
What type of medical cannabis products can I purchase with an Iowa medical marijuana card?
Licensed dispensaries provide medical marijuana for purchase in the following forms:
- Vaporizable
- Oral forms – tablets, capsules, liquids, tinctures and sublingual forms
- Topical forms – gels, ointments, creams, lotions and transdermal patches
- Nebulizable inhaled forms
- Suppositories – rectal and vaginal
No flower (loose leaf, “joints,” etc.) or THC-infused edibles (“gummies,” chocolates, etc.) are allowed within the program. There is no medicinal cannabis product quantity possession limit for registered cardholders and caregivers.
Can I register as a caregiver for a minor or for someone else?
Yes, you can register to be a caregiver on behalf of minor patients (under 18), or on behalf of someone else, for instance, someone living with a terminal illness who is not able to purchase their own medical marijuana.
You will have to register for your Iowa medical card online at the same time as the medical patient.
I live in another state, can I get an Iowa MMJ card?
Medical cannabis cardholders in other states are also allowed to possess medical cannabis products in Iowa, provided that the products are in a form authorized by 641 IAC 154.14, but products may only be legally purchased by registered Iowa cardholders, and their caregivers.
How long does it take to process my application?
It can take up to two weeks to process an application; however, this process has sped up since it moved online.
Be sure to allow sufficient time for your renewal and to visit a healthcare provider with Compassionate Clinics of America for a medical evaluation so that you can ensure that your patient registration remain valid.
Can a doctor complete a medical marijuana certification via telehealth?
Yes! You can get a medical marijuana certification from a healthcare practitioner through Compassionate Clinics of America through a wholly online process!
Getting medical marijuana in Iowa shouldn’t be a difficult, or lengthy process. We are there every step of the way to ensure that you can buy medical marijuana with your new med card within a few days.
Can I own a gun and have a medical cannabis card in Iowa?
No, individuals cannot have a medical cannabis card and a gun license in Iowa without potentially running into legal conflicts. While Iowa permits medical cannabis use under certain conditions, federal law classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. Federal law, overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), prohibits anyone considered an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” from possessing firearms or ammunition. Possessing a medical cannabis card in Iowa could be viewed as being an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance, potentially affecting eligibility for a federal gun license. Due to the legal complexities, it’s recommended to consult with legal counsel if considering both a medical cannabis card and a gun license.
When does the physician certification expire?
The medical marijuana in Iowa certification for qualifying patients is valid for a period of one (1) year, the same length of time the medical cannabidiol registration card is valid.
I’ve heard that I can renew my medical marijuana card in Iowa for $20? Where can I renew my medical marijuana card in Iowa for $20?
Please be advised that there are no medical providers that exist in Iowa that provide renewals for medical cannabis cards for just $20. The cost to renew your medical cannabis certification and card in Iowa is $199 with Compassionate Clinics of America, and we are with you every step of the way throughout the process.
If you do not get approved for your renewal, you get 100% of this fee back.
Questions About Medical Cannabis Certification in Iowa?
Feel free to connect with us anytime at [email protected] or call us at (888) 611-4820.
View the Frequently Asked Questions about Iowa’s medical marijuana program by clicking the link below:
Iowa Medical Cannabis Patient Program Frequently Asked Questions
