Signed by Governor Terry Branstad

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that authorizes the use and possession of marijuana oil for a specific medical purpose.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer “cannabidiol” for the authorized treatment of “intractable epilepsy” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “cannabidiol” as a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that is “essentially free” from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of no more than 3 percent (Sec. 3).

• Defines “intractable epilepsy” as an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or “significantly ameliorate” recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to authorize the Department of Transportation to issue a “cannabidiol registration card” to a patient or a patient’s primary caregiver, if the individual meets certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The individual is at least 18 years of age; 
• The individual is a patient or the primary caregiver for a patient who is a permanent Iowa resident; and
• The individual provides the department with a written recommendation signed by a neurologist.

• Authorizes a patient or primary caregiver who is found in possession of up to 32 ounces of cannabidiol oil and is charged for unlawful possession of marijuana to use his or her valid cannabidiol registration card as an “affirmative and complete defense” (Sec. 7).

• Authorizes a board-certified neurologist who has examined and treated a patient with intractable epilepsy to provide a written recommendation for the patient’s medical use of cannabidiol if certain criteria are met, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Secs. 1 & 4):
• The neurologist or another neurologist has treated the patient for intractable epilepsy for at least 6 months; and
• The neurologist has tried alternative treatment options that have not alleviated the patient’s symptoms.

• Requires the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy to submit an annual report to the Department of Public Health and to the General Assembly detailing the scientific literature, studies, and clinical trials regarding the use of cannabidiol on patients with intractable epilepsy, beginning July 1, 2015 (Sec. 10). 

• Specifies that neurologist recommended cannabidiol shall only be obtained from an out-of-state source, and specifies that it shall only be recommended for oral or transdermal administration (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use and possession of marijuana oil for a specific medical purpose.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer “cannabidiol” for the authorized treatment of “intractable epilepsy” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “cannabidiol” as a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that is “essentially free” from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of no more than 3 percent (Sec. 3).

• Defines “intractable epilepsy” as an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or “significantly ameliorate” recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to authorize the Department of Transportation to issue a “cannabidiol registration card” to a patient or a patient’s primary caregiver, if the individual meets certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The individual is at least 18 years of age; 
• The individual is a patient or the primary caregiver for a patient who is a permanent Iowa resident; and
• The individual provides the department with a written recommendation signed by a neurologist.

• Authorizes a patient or primary caregiver who is found in possession of up to 32 ounces of cannabidiol oil and is charged for unlawful possession of marijuana to use his or her valid cannabidiol registration card as an “affirmative and complete defense” (Sec. 7).

• Authorizes a board-certified neurologist who has examined and treated a patient with intractable epilepsy to provide a written recommendation for the patient’s medical use of cannabidiol if certain criteria are met, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Secs. 1 & 4):
• The neurologist or another neurologist has treated the patient for intractable epilepsy for at least 6 months; and
• The neurologist has tried alternative treatment options that have not alleviated the patient’s symptoms.

• Requires the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy to submit an annual report to the Department of Public Health and to the General Assembly detailing the scientific literature, studies, and clinical trials regarding the use of cannabidiol on patients with intractable epilepsy, beginning July 1, 2015 (Sec. 10). 

• Specifies that neurologist recommended cannabidiol shall only be obtained from an out-of-state source, and specifies that it shall only be recommended for oral or transdermal administration (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use and possession of marijuana oil for a specific medical purpose.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer “cannabidiol” for the authorized treatment of “intractable epilepsy” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “cannabidiol” as a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that is “essentially free” from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of no more than 3 percent (Sec. 3).

• Defines “intractable epilepsy” as an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or “significantly ameliorate” recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to authorize the Department of Transportation to issue a “cannabidiol registration card” to a patient or a patient’s primary caregiver, if the individual meets certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The individual is at least 18 years of age; 
• The individual is a patient or the primary caregiver for a patient who is a permanent Iowa resident; and
• The individual provides the department with a written recommendation signed by a neurologist.

• Authorizes a board-certified neurologist who has examined and treated a patient with intractable epilepsy to provide a written recommendation for the patient’s medical use of cannabidiol if certain criteria are met, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Secs. 1 & 4):
• The neurologist or another neurologist has treated the patient for intractable epilepsy for at least 6 months; and
• The neurologist has tried alternative treatment options that have not alleviated the patient’s symptoms.

• Specifies that a cannabidiol registration card, or its equivalent, issued by another state or jurisdiction for the treatment of intractable epilepsy will have the same force and effect as a cannabidiol registration card issued in this state (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that neurologist-recommended cannabidiol shall only be obtained from an out-of-state source, and specifies that it shall only be recommended for oral or transdermal administration (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text