The 2019 legislative session adjourned Saturday, and one last-minute bill makes three substantial changes to Iowa's medical marijuana law.The bill, approved overwhelmingly by both Republicans and Democrats, expands the number of illnesses for which cannabidiol, or CBD, can be prescribed.The list of conditions covered by the current law includes intractable pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, Crohn's disease, HIV, terminal illness and Lou Gehrig's disease, which is also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.The Iowa Board of Medicine has now added severe autism and ulcerative colitis to the list.The bill also expands the potency of the cannabis products, removing a 3% limit on THC. Dispensaries will be allowed to give out as much as grams of THC during a 90-day period.West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer, a longtime advocate of medical marijuana, said CBD made a big difference in the life of his daughter, Margaret, who has epilepsy."As I understand it now, all 11 conditions, and probably 90% of the patients in Iowa, can now get the percentage of medication that they need to actually help them," Gaer said.Republican Sen. Brad Zaun said he believes CBD oil is an alternative to dangerous painkillers such as opioids."This is a big step, a very historical step, for a lot of people in the state of Iowa that are in pain," Zaun said.Gov. Kim Reynolds has 30 days to decide whether she will sign the bill into law.

The 2019 legislative session adjourned Saturday, and one last-minute bill makes three substantial changes to Iowa's medical marijuana law.

The bill, approved overwhelmingly by both Republicans and Democrats, expands the number of illnesses for which cannabidiol, or CBD, can be prescribed.


The list of conditions covered by the current law includes intractable pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, Crohn's disease, HIV, terminal illness and Lou Gehrig's disease, which is also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

The Iowa Board of Medicine has now added severe autism and ulcerative colitis to the list.

The bill also expands the potency of the cannabis products, removing a 3% limit on THC. Dispensaries will be allowed to give out as much as grams of THC during a 90-day period.

West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer, a longtime advocate of medical marijuana, said CBD made a big difference in the life of his daughter, Margaret, who has epilepsy.

"As I understand it now, all 11 conditions, and probably 90% of the patients in Iowa, can now get the percentage of medication that they need to actually help them," Gaer said.

Republican Sen. Brad Zaun said he believes CBD oil is an alternative to dangerous painkillers such as opioids.

"This is a big step, a very historical step, for a lot of people in the state of Iowa that are in pain," Zaun said.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has 30 days to decide whether she will sign the bill into law.