Marijuana Business Factbook 2019

79 © Copyright 2020, Marijuana Business Daily , a division of Anne Holland Ventures Inc. You may NOT copy this Factbook, or make public the data and facts contained herein, in part or in whole. For more copies or editorial permissions, contact CustomerService@MJBizDaily.com or call (720) 213-5992, ext. 1. State-By-State: Legal Overview, Market Data and Outlook | Chapter 2 MJBIZDAILY.COM SUMMARY What to watch in 2020 Medical marijuana sales began in Iowa on Dec. 1, 2018. Iowa set the THC limit―based on weight―at 3%, but the state’s MMJ producers are able to maneuver around this and offer full-strength products. For example, a capsule that weighs 600 milligrams can contain up to 20 milligrams of THC―3% of the total weight of the capsule. Although full-strength MMJ products are available, the program does not allow the sale of smokable flower, and just five dispensaries serve the entire state of Iowa―both of which severely limit its appeal to potential patients. State regulators and lawmakers have signaled their interest in helping the industry survive by adding new qualifying conditions such as chronic pain, which has helped boost the patient pool to just under 4,000 as of October 2019. But for Iowa’s MMJ to be successful, more will need to be done to improve access and offer a wider array of products. Marijuana Business Opportunity Rank for 2020 C With a limited number of licenses―all of which have already been allocated―a small patient pool and prohibitions on flower and edibles, Iowa’s medical marijuana market offers limited investment and growth opportunity. Despite this, regulators and lawmakers have signaled their willingness to provide support to the industry, perhaps creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs in the coming years.