Iowa

House passes bill adding age restrictions and capping THC for hemp products • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

House passes bill adding age restrictions and capping THC for hemp products • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa House lawmakers approved a bill Tuesday making changes to the Iowa Hemp Act in an effort to restrict higher-potency THC products currently available for purchase in Iowa.

House File 2605 would cap consumable hemp products to a maximum of 4 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per serving, and set a limit of 10 mg per container. In addition to new restrictions and penalties related to the possession, sale and manufacturing of hemp products, the bill would impose an age requirement of 21 for purchasing products containing THC and require warning labels on products.

Rep. Ray Sorensen, R-Greenfield, said the amended bill was a “compromise” reached following extensive discussions on consumable hemp. The bill’s floor manager, Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, said “it is no secret I would like to THC limit to be much lower,” but the legislation would give law enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services tools they needed to effectively regulate the industry.

While there are many intoxicating THC products available for purchase in Iowa now, Holt said the original Iowa Hemp Act was not intended to legalize these products for sale. Added regulations are necessary to ensure that some of the problems posed by Iowa’s current hemp product market are addressed, he said.

“The reality is that these products could currently be sold to children based on the law, because again — we did not anticipate or understand what was coming, and clearly neither did the feds at the time they passed their Hemp Act,” Holt said. “It is a bit of the wild, wild west out there right now in Iowa thanks to the loopholes we did not know we created.”

Some lawmakers brought up concerns with the proposal’s economic impact on Iowa businesses. Rep. Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, said the legislation could affect 1,100 Iowa retailers who currently stock consumable hemp products and who employ roughly 3,000 people.

Requirements on warning labels and restrictions on how much THC can be contained in packaging could stop manufacturers from selling hemp products in Iowa, he said, leading consumers to go outside the state for purchases.

“I’m hearing it from the retailers, saying this,” Kressig said. “When they close, they’ll lose the employees, the customer won’t be able to purchase that product from a knowledgeable individual. And they’ll have to order it online or maybe go — oh, I guess they could go to Minnesota. They could go to Illinois. They could go to Missouri. Those states offer products to the people.”

Rep. John Forbes, D-Urbandale said he was afraid of the “unintended consequences” of the bill for Iowans who use hemp products for medical purposes. Forbes, a pharmacist, said he has worked with patients who use CBD or hemp products to help recover from opioid addiction, or who are looking for ways to manage pain outside of prescription drugs.

“I think we’re not hitting the nail on the head here, when it comes to being able to help Iowans that are seeking out this as an alternative to maybe taking other prescription medications, and increasing quality of life, helping them,” Forbes said. “… This bill, I think, will make it much much more difficult to access these products.”

Holt said the legislation does not affect Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program. He cited written comments from medical professionals, including those with the Blank Children’s Hospital, who expressed concerns about people using hemp products interchangeably with medical CBD, especially as it relates to medical treatment for children.

“I would respectfully ask that we put the safety and well-being of our citizens and our amazing state first in this discussion,” Holt said.

The bill passed on a 78-16 vote, and moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill must be approved this week by a Senate committee to meet the second “funnel” deadline of the 2024 legislative session and remain eligible for consideration.

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Iowa

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Published

6 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Lawmakers have yet to agree on whether private companies should be allowed to use eminent domain for a proposed carbon capture pipeline, leaving landowners and industry groups waiting on an outcome that could have lasting impacts across the state.

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Iowa

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

Published

18 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:

The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.

The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.

What Iowa bills missed the cut?

Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.

What Iowa bills made the cut?

Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.

What big issues are hung up?

Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”

What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?

If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.

Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.

Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan

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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.

Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton

In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Ainley Ulrich, North Union

Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr

At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.

Maryn Franken, Sioux Center

Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.

Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK

Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.

Cora Sauer, Lake Mills

Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.

Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock

Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington

Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.

Maggie McChesney, Glenwood

In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.

KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie

Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.

Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan

Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.

Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic

The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.