Iowa’s laws surrounding hemp tetrahydrocannabinol and its isomers are pretty restrictive. Is delta 8 THC legal in Iowa? Let’s look at the current hemp laws in this state.
Last Update: March 10, 2024
Summary
- Hemp-derived delta 8 THC is not legal in Iowa. State law prohibits the distribution, sale, use and possession of hemp products with a total THC concentration higher than 0.3% THC.
- Iowa doesn’t have an official ban on delta 8 THC, but the laws are not in favor of products containing this cannabinoid.
- You should avoid ordering delta 8 THC products in Iowa online or buying in local retail shops.
- Smokable hemp products are strictly prohibited in Iowa.
- The best alternative for hemp-derived delta 8 THC is legal delta 9 THC gummies with less than 0.3% total THC.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal in Iowa?
Hemp-derived delta 8 THC is not legal in Iowa. Iowa doesn’t explicitly ban delta 8, but state law is not in favor of products containing this cannabinoid.
Delta 8 THC is an illegal substance in Iowa. The state doesn’t make an exception for hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols in their Controlled Substances Act.
The state lists all tetrahydrocannabinols, their synthetic equivalents, derivatives, and isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity as illegal.
Under the Iowa Hemp Act, hemp products can contain a THC concentration of 0.3% without specifying delta 9 THC. This means that hemp products are only lawful if the total THC concentration in them doesn’t exceed 0.3%, which includes delta 8 THC.
Iowa was one of the last states to legalize the hemp plant and its cannabinoids. The Hawkeye State allows the sale and possession of hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC to the extent of federal law.
That said, not all CBD products are legal in the state. Iowa strictly prohibits the sale of smokable hemp products, so you can’t order these products legally.
Read more: State-by-State Legality of Delta 8 THC.
Where to Buy Delta 8 THC in Iowa?
The Hawkeye State’s hemp laws are pretty restrictive. Iowa was one of the last states to legalize hemp and hemp CBD products and did so with limitations.
Despite restrictions, people tend to sell and buy hemp CBD products in this state — which are fully legal under the 2018 Farm Bill if they contain less than 0.3% THC. But, the situation is different with D8 THC as state law considers all tetrahydrocannabinols, their derivatives, and isomers controlled substances.
Can I Order Delta 8 THC Online if I Live in Iowa?
You should avoid ordering delta 8 THC online in Iowa. Due to the state’s restrictive laws, you’ll find it extremely hard to find a quality supplier that ships D8 products to Iowa.
Instead, you can order our premium delta 9 THC gummies with a total THC concentration of 0.3%.
If Iowa ever recognizes the benefits of the entire hemp plant profile and loosens the regulations, you can order top-shelf hemp cannabinoid products from Mr. Hemp Flower. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll like our vegan, sugar-free full spectrum CBD gummies as well as our delicious, vegan, and organic delta-8 THC gummies.
Since 2016, Mr. Hemp Flower has been an advocate for the hemp plant and its benefits by providing you with tested, high-quality products you can trust. When buying from us, you’re buying directly from the maker and know the ingredients of each product.
What is Delta 8 THC?
As an isomer of delta 9 THC — or the primary intoxicating cannabinoid of cannabis — delta 8 THC displays mildly intoxicating effects.
Not only is it twice less intoxicating than delta 9 THC, but it also doesn’t cause the same euphoric “high.” As reported by users, delta 8 THC’s “high” is more subtle and without the intense anxiety and paranoia caused by high-THC strains.
Delta 8 THC and Federal Law
The legality of delta 8 THC on a federal level is hazy. States have been cracking down on the loophole that makes buying and selling hemp products infused with D8 legal. The main reason for it is that D8 is an intoxicating cannabinoid that’s manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).
Delta 8 THC exists in the hemp plant in its natural state only in trace amounts. Therefore, its organic extraction is extremely challenging. As a solution to this problem, manufacturers have started using hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and chemically convert it into delta 8 THC. You’ve probably heard that most hemp products on the market that are infused with D8 THC are made from chemically altered hemp-CBD.
This process of converting one chemical compound into another is known as isomerization. Isomerization is a chemical process in which one molecule, like cannabidiol, is transformed into any of its isomeric forms — in this case, D8 THC. Isomers are chemical compounds that have the same chemical composition but different structure and physical and chemical properties.
Such conversion of hemp-CBD into D8 is the root of the legal confusion because there’s a risk that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will consider this isomer a synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinol.
In 2020, the DEA issued a report on hemp (Interim Rule) that stated: “all synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain Schedule I controlled substances.”
The report also specified that if a compound is considered synthetic, the 2018 Farm Bill doesn’t have any power over its legality.
Recently, the DEA also seems to have “secretly” added D8 THC on its Orange Book of controlled substances. While many argue that this is the end of D8 THC, others await a formal statement for its prohibition.
Final Thoughts
Delta 8 THC is not legal to buy in Iowa. The Hawkeye State listed hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols in their Controlled Substances Act. Residents of Iowa should avoid ordering hemp-derived D8 online until the law loosens up.
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FAQ’s
Is Delta-8 still legal to buy in Iowa?
No. Iowa doesn’t allow the sale of D-8 THC infused hemp products.
Where to buy Delta-8 THC in Iowa?
For now, you should avoid ordering D-8 products online if you live in Iowa.
Can I order Delta-8 online legally?
Only residents of D-8 friendly states can shop this cannabinoid online safely and legally.
Is Delta-8 THC legal in all 50 states?
No, so far, 16 states have banned or restricted this hemp derivative, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
Is Delta-8 THC safe?
Yes, Delta-8 THC is a safe cannabinoid if manufactured properly. The threat from consuming this cannabinoid comes from low-quality, untested D-8 products.
Read our legal disclaimer HERE. While we try to stay as up-to-date as possible on all state laws, you should do your own due diligence and work with a legal professional to ensure you are operating legally in your state or territory at all times. We do our best to keep up with state and local policies and regulations, but since those regulations are changing so rapidly, we strongly encourage our customers to check their local state, city and, or county policies before placing an order, as it’s ultimately your responsibility to abide by your local regulations.