Find an Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Doctor Online
Iowa's Medical Cannabidiol Program provides patients with qualifying conditions access to cannabis products within specific THC limits. Unlike most states, Iowa allows multiple practitioner types including Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to certify patients. MMJ.com connects you with Iowa-licensed healthcare practitioners through secure telehealth consultations.
Iowa Program Highlights: 15 qualifying conditions • 4.5g THC/90-day cap • PAs & ARNPs can certify • Telehealth permitted • 5 dispensaries statewide
Schedule Your Iowa Evaluation →
Understanding Iowa's Medical Cannabidiol Program
Iowa's program, established by the Medical Cannabidiol Act (Iowa Code Chapter 124E), has unique parameters that differ from traditional medical marijuana programs:
| Feature | Iowa Program | Most MMJ Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Program Name | Medical Cannabidiol | Medical Marijuana |
| THC Limit | 4.5g total per 90 days | No specific cap |
| Product Forms | All (oils, capsules, topicals, vapes, flower) | All forms |
| Dispensaries | 5 statewide | Varies (dozens to thousands) |
| Eligible Practitioners | MD, DO, PA, ARNP, DPM | Usually MD/DO only |
| Card Validity | 1 year | 1-2 years |
| State Fee | $100 | $0-200 |
Iowa's THC Cap Explained
Iowa limits patients to 4.5 grams of total THC in a 90-day period. This cap applies to the total THC content across all products purchased.
What This Means:
- Products are tracked for THC content at dispensaries
- Dispensary staff help manage your allocation
- Higher-THC products use your allocation faster
- CBD products with low THC preserve your allocation
Why Choose MMJ.com for Your Iowa Evaluation?
| Feature | MMJ.com Guarantee |
|---|---|
| Provider Credentials | Iowa-licensed healthcare practitioners |
| Practitioner Types | MDs, DOs, ARNPs, PAs available |
| Telehealth | Legal per Iowa Code Chapter 124E |
| Scheduling | Same-day, 7 days/week |
| Card Validity | Full 1 year |
| Approval Rate | 98%+ |
| Refund Policy | 100% money-back if not approved |
Our Iowa Practitioners Are:
- ✅ State-Licensed — Active licensure with Iowa Board of Medicine, Nursing, or Podiatry
- ✅ Registered with HHS — Authorized by Iowa Health and Human Services to certify patients
- ✅ Telehealth Certified — Conduct secure video consultations
- ✅ Experienced — Understand Iowa's specific program requirements
Iowa Qualifying Conditions
Iowa recognizes 15 qualifying medical conditions:
| Condition | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cancer | Terminal or with severe treatment symptoms |
| Seizures/Epilepsy | Including intractable seizures |
| Multiple Sclerosis | |
| HIV/AIDS | |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | |
| Parkinson's Disease | |
| Severe or Chronic Pain | Most common condition |
| Crohn's Disease | |
| Ulcerative Colitis | |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | |
| Corticobasal Degeneration | |
| Terminal Illness | Life expectancy < 1 year |
| Severe Nausea | |
| Severe Muscle Spasms | |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder |
Not Sure If You Qualify? Severe or chronic pain is one of Iowa's most common qualifying conditions. Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms.
The 6-Step Iowa Evaluation Process
Step 1: Create Your MMJ.com Account (5 min)
Register on our HIPAA-compliant platform and complete a medical intake questionnaire covering:
- Your qualifying condition and symptoms
- Medical history and documentation
- Current treatments and medications
Step 2: Gather Medical Documentation
Iowa strongly recommends documentation of your qualifying condition:
- Diagnosis records from your treating provider
- Relevant specialist records
- Treatment history
Step 3: Schedule Your Telehealth Consultation
Choose from same-day, evening, or weekend appointments — 7 days a week.
Step 4: Video Evaluation with an Iowa-Licensed Practitioner (10-15 min)
Connect via secure video:
- Verify your identity with Iowa ID
- Review your medical records and qualifying condition
- Discuss how medical cannabidiol may help your symptoms
- Receive certification decision
Step 5: Register with Iowa HHS
After receiving your healthcare practitioner certification, apply through the Iowa Health and Human Services medical cannabidiol portal:
- Create your patient account
- Upload practitioner certification
- Upload passport-style photo
- Pay $100 state registration fee
- Submit application
Step 6: Receive Your Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Card
Once processed (typically 1-2 weeks), you'll receive your card, valid for 1 year from certification date.
Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Costs
| Service | MMJ.com Fee | State Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Patient | $149.99 | $100 | $249.99 |
| Renewal | $149.99 | $100 | $249.99 |
Fee Reduction Programs
Iowa offers reduced state fees for:
- Veterans — $25 state fee
- Medicaid recipients — Reduced fee available
✅ 100% Money-Back Guarantee — If you don't qualify, you receive a full refund of your evaluation fee.
Iowa Dispensary Network
Iowa has 5 licensed dispensary locations operated by licensed manufacturers:
| Dispensary | Location |
|---|---|
| Iowa Cannabis Company (MedPharm Iowa) | Des Moines, Sioux City |
| Iowa Relief (Columbia Care) | Davenport |
| Trulieve | Council Bluffs |
| Nature's Medicines | Windsor Heights |
Note: Locations and operators may change. Verify current information at Iowa HHS.
👨‍⚕️ For Healthcare Practitioners: How to Certify Patients in Iowa
Are you an Iowa-licensed healthcare practitioner interested in certifying patients for medical cannabidiol? Iowa has one of the most inclusive practitioner eligibility lists in the nation.
Eligible Practitioner Types
Iowa allows the following practitioners to certify patients:
| Practitioner Type | Licensing Board | Can Certify? |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Doctors (MD) | Iowa Board of Medicine | âś… Yes |
| Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) | Iowa Board of Medicine | âś… Yes |
| Physician Assistants (PA) | Iowa Board of Medicine | âś… Yes |
| Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) | Iowa Board of Nursing | âś… Yes |
| Podiatrists (DPM) | Iowa Board of Podiatry | âś… Yes |
| Registered Nurses (RN) | Iowa Board of Nursing | ❌ No |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | Iowa Board of Nursing | ❌ No |
Iowa is unique in allowing PAs, ARNPs, and Podiatrists to certify patients — most states restrict this to physicians only.
Licensure Requirements
To certify patients for medical cannabidiol in Iowa, you must:
- Hold an active, unrestricted license to practice in Iowa
- Be in good standing with your licensing board
- Register with Iowa Health and Human Services as a healthcare practitioner
- Maintain a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship
Registration Process with Iowa HHS
Step 1: Access the Iowa HHS Healthcare Practitioner Portal
Visit the Iowa Health and Human Services medical cannabidiol program portal (formerly IDPH) to begin registration.
Step 2: Create Your Practitioner Account
Submit the following information:
- Iowa professional license number
- License type (MD, DO, PA, ARNP, DPM)
- Licensing board information
- DEA registration (if applicable)
- Practice location(s)
- Contact information
Step 3: Complete Registration Attestation
Acknowledge your understanding of:
- Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act requirements
- Healthcare practitioner responsibilities
- Certification procedures and documentation
- Patient eligibility criteria
Step 4: Registration Approval
Iowa HHS reviews applications and approves qualified practitioners. Once approved, you can begin certifying patients.
Certifying Patients in Iowa
Once registered, you can certify patients who have qualifying conditions:
Certification Requirements:
- Establish Practitioner-Patient Relationship — Conduct a thorough evaluation (in-person or telehealth)
- Confirm Qualifying Condition — Verify the patient has one of Iowa's 15 qualifying conditions
- Determine Therapeutic Benefit — Conclude that medical cannabidiol would benefit the patient
- Complete Documentation — Maintain comprehensive medical records
- Issue Certification — Provide signed healthcare practitioner certification to patient
What the Certification Must Include:
- Practitioner name, license number, and signature
- Patient name and information
- Qualifying medical condition(s)
- Date of evaluation
- Statement of bona fide relationship
- Certification expiration date (1 year from date of issuance)
Iowa Certification Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Telehealth | âś… Permitted for initial and follow-up evaluations |
| Certification Validity | 1 year from date of issuance |
| THC Limit | Products limited to 4.5g total THC per 90-day period |
| Renewals | Annual renewal required |
| Patient Monitoring | Optional but encouraged |
Ongoing Practitioner Responsibilities
- Conduct annual renewal evaluations
- Maintain patient records per Iowa law
- Stay current with program updates and rule changes
- Report any changes to license status
- Be available for consultations regarding patient care
Legal Protections for Iowa Practitioners
âś… Cannot be disciplined by licensing boards solely for certifying patients for medical cannabidiol
âś… Protected from liability for good-faith certifications within program guidelines
âś… May charge reasonable fees for evaluations and certifications
Prohibited Activities
- ❌ Certifying patients without proper evaluation
- ❌ Certifying patients who don't have qualifying conditions
- ❌ Having financial interest in dispensaries while certifying
- ❌ Accepting referral payments from dispensaries
Benefits of Becoming an Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Practitioner
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Broad Eligibility | MDs, DOs, PAs, ARNPs, DPMs can all certify |
| No Mandatory CME | No specific cannabis education required |
| Telehealth Permitted | Evaluate patients remotely |
| Growing Patient Base | Increasing demand for certified practitioners |
| Professional Fulfillment | Help patients access therapeutic relief |
| Practice Expansion | Add valuable service to your practice |
Practitioner Resources
| Resource | Information |
|---|---|
| Iowa HHS Medical Cannabidiol | hhs.iowa.gov (search Medical Cannabidiol) |
| Iowa Board of Medicine | medicalboard.iowa.gov |
| Iowa Board of Nursing | nursing.iowa.gov |
| Iowa Board of Podiatry | idph.iowa.gov/licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Podiatry |
| Iowa Medical Society | iowamedical.org |
| Iowa Nurses Association | iowanurses.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
For Patients
What is the THC limit in Iowa?
Iowa limits patients to 4.5 grams of total THC in a 90-day period. Dispensary staff track your allocation and help you manage it.
Do I need medical records for my Iowa evaluation?
Medical records documenting your qualifying condition are strongly recommended in Iowa. They help practitioners make thorough evaluations.
Can nurse practitioners certify patients in Iowa?
Yes! Iowa is one of the few states that allows Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to certify patients.
How many dispensaries are in Iowa?
Iowa currently has 5 licensed dispensary locations across the state, operated by licensed manufacturers.
How long is my Iowa card valid?
Iowa medical cannabidiol cards are valid for 1 year from the date of healthcare practitioner certification.
Is smoking/flower allowed in Iowa?
Yes, Iowa added smokable flower (bud) to its list of approved product forms. However, all products are still subject to the 4.5g THC cap.
For Healthcare Practitioners
Can PAs and ARNPs certify patients in Iowa?
Yes! Iowa allows Physician Assistants, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, and Podiatrists to certify patients — not just physicians. This is unique among medical cannabis programs.
Is there a registration fee for practitioners?
No, there is no fee to register as a healthcare practitioner for Iowa's medical cannabidiol program.
Do I need specific cannabis training?
Iowa does not mandate specific CME or training courses for practitioners, though education on cannabinoid medicine is encouraged.
Can I conduct evaluations via telehealth?
Yes! Iowa permits telehealth evaluations for medical cannabidiol certifications. Both initial and follow-up evaluations can be conducted via secure video.
Ready to Get Started?
For Patients
Take the first step toward relief with Iowa's medical cannabidiol program.
Schedule Your Iowa Evaluation →
Questions? Call us at 1-888-MMJ-8178 or chat live — available 7 days a week.
For Healthcare Practitioners
Interested in partnering with MMJ.com or learning more about certifying patients?
Contact Our Practitioner Team →
Content verified as of December 2025
Sources: Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act (Iowa Code Chapter 124E), Iowa Health and Human Services, Iowa Board of Medicine, Iowa Board of Nursing