Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's office released guidance Monday on the state's hemp and CBD laws.Demand is driving more stores to sell CBD products, but Miller said very few of those products are legal under Iowa law."Any product containing cannabidiol is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under Iowa law and is, thus, illegal," Miller said in a news release. "At this time, the only exceptions to this classification are FDA-approved medications and Iowa's medical CBD program, which is administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health. That program is open only to people with state-issued registration cards and only through licensed dispensaries."CBD is classified the same as marijuana and heroin. The two exceptions are the state's medical CBD program and the four FDA-approved medicines."Federal regulations apply," said Lynn Hicks, with the attorney general's office.Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Iowa Hemp Act in May, but several steps involving the Department of Agriculture must be completed before CBD products can be legal and farmers can be allowed to plant industrial hemp.During this period, the attorney general's office said enforcement is up to each county attorney's office."There's still one more piece left in this whole process before people can purchase this," Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said.Des Moines police said officers are educating Iowans on the legality of CBD products, rather than charging residents for buying or selling them.When the Iowa Hemp Act becomes fully effective, CBD products containing no more than 0.3% THC will no longer be considered a controlled substance.The earliest officials expect industrial hemp to be allowed is the 2020 growing season.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's office released guidance Monday on the state's hemp and CBD laws.

Demand is driving more stores to sell CBD products, but Miller said very few of those products are legal under Iowa law.


"Any product containing cannabidiol is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under Iowa law and is, thus, illegal," Miller said in a news release. "At this time, the only exceptions to this classification are FDA-approved medications and Iowa's medical CBD program, which is administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health. That program is open only to people with state-issued registration cards and only through licensed dispensaries."

CBD is classified the same as marijuana and heroin. The two exceptions are the state's medical CBD program and the four FDA-approved medicines.

"Federal regulations apply," said Lynn Hicks, with the attorney general's office.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Iowa Hemp Act in May, but several steps involving the Department of Agriculture must be completed before CBD products can be legal and farmers can be allowed to plant industrial hemp.

During this period, the attorney general's office said enforcement is up to each county attorney's office.

"There's still one more piece left in this whole process before people can purchase this," Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Des Moines police said officers are educating Iowans on the legality of CBD products, rather than charging residents for buying or selling them.

When the Iowa Hemp Act becomes fully effective, CBD products containing no more than 0.3% THC will no longer be considered a controlled substance.

The earliest officials expect industrial hemp to be allowed is the 2020 growing season.