Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) has signed legislation that will double the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, a notable expansion for one of the nation’s more restrictive medical marijuana programs.
House Bill 990, signed Tuesday, increases Iowa’s dispensary cap from five to 10. The bill was approved by lawmakers with broad bipartisan support, passing the House 88 to 5 in April after previously clearing the Senate in a 42 to 5 vote.
Under the new law, state regulators will be able to approve up to five additional dispensaries, potentially easing access for patients who currently must rely on a small number of locations spread across the state.
Iowa’s medical marijuana program remains limited compared with most other medical marijuana states. The program allows patients with qualifying conditions to access regulated cannabis products, but the small number of dispensaries has long been a barrier for many patients, particularly those in rural areas.
In addition to expanding the number of dispensaries, HB 990 will allow out-of-state residents to register in Iowa’s medical marijuana program if they receive a certification from an Iowa healthcare provider.
The new law does not legalize recreational marijuana or remove Iowa’s broader restrictions on cannabis. However, by doubling the number of dispensaries allowed statewide, it marks one of the more significant access-related changes to Iowa’s medical marijuana program in recent years.
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