DES MOINES, Iowa — A controversial hemp regulation bill now heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk by a partisan vote.
Republican senators advanced the legislation to limit how much THC can be in consumable hemp products, now making the maximum amount 4mg per serving or 10mg per container.
Anyone under 21 wouldn’t be allowed to consume those products.
Republicans said there is a desperate need for regulation.
“The last four years, we have seen the Iowa hemp act metastasize into some things that we expected and some things that we didn’t expect,” said State Sen. Dan Dawson (R-Council Bluffs), “and now we are here today, with a bill before us, to try to put some, again, desperately needed regulations on this industry to not only protect the industry but also to protect the consumers who might indulge in these products.”
While consumable hemp products like THC-infused drinks are popping up around the state, Iowa Restaurant Association president Jessica Dunker said they’re backing the bill and are glad to see some new guard rails on those goods.
“What’s interesting is that, because the creation of some of these products got ahead of some of the legislation that we had out there, the legislature is working really hard to put guard rails around a lot of the products that we’re seeing now that are readily available,” said Dunker.
Dunker said there are concerns about what insurance policies could look like going forward, but the goal is to continue the conversation.
“But, obviously, if this is what consumers want, we would like the option to be able to safely serve it in the State of Iowa in our establishments,” she said.
Senate democrats voted against the bill, but none stood up to speak during debate.