IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - A House subcommittee advanced a bill Tuesday that would increase the number of dispensaries selling medical marijuana in Iowa. This news comes as the state's medical marijuana program continues to gain traction, with more Iowa City residents obtaining cannabis cards this year. The Iowa Cannabis Co. -- one of two firms licensed by the state to manufacture medical marijuana -- expects to harvest its first crop soon, and the potential for more dispensaries could mean increased sales and accessibility for patients.
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, lawmakers are considering a bill that would change regulations for hemp products. This could have implications for the cannabis industry as a whole, as medical marijuana sales in Iowa have reportedly leveled off in recent months. Regulators attribute this trend to Iowans turning to cheaper, largely unregulated consumable hemp products instead.
On a positive note, lawmakers on a Senate subcommittee have also agreed to advance a bill that would double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries in Iowa. This proposed expansion could help meet the growing demand for medical marijuana in the state and provide more options for patients in need.