What’s New?
October 16, 2025
Cannabis
Regulation in Iowa
August 29, 2024
Schedule 3
DEA-2024-0059
September 26, 2024
National Academies
Cannabis Policy
May 3, 2021
Petition for Order of Mandamus
Carl Olsen
April 27, 2021
Petition for Federal Exemption
Carl Olsen
December 4, 2020
UN Reclassifies Cannabis
Press Statement
Final Rule, April, 28, 2026
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Food and Drug Administration Approved Products Containing Marijuana From Schedule I to Schedule III; Corresponding Change to Permit Requirements
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Portal, April 29, 2026
This final rule also establishes an expedited registration process under 21 CFR part 1301 for entities holding state medical marijuana licenses, enabling such entities to engage in the manufacture, distribution, and/or dispensing of marijuana for medical purposes under federal law consistent with the requirements of the Single Convention.
Proposed Rule, April, 28, 2026
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana
Previous Proposed Rule Withdrawn, April, 28, 2026
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana; Withdrawal
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Attorney General of the United States used 21 U.S.C. § 811(d) (international treaty obligations) to bring therapeutic use of cannabis into compliance with federal law. The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board has been asking the legislature to obtain a federal waiver using 21 U.S.C. § 822(d) for the past seven years, but 21 U.S.C. § 811(d) provides permanent relief. See the Board’s 2026 Annual Report, Recommendation 8 on page 10.
For an example of how broad the authority of the Attorney General of the United States is, the authority for religious use of controlled substances comes from 21 U.S.C. § 822(d). See 21 C.F.R. § 1307.31 (religious use of peyote). A state medical cannabis program is entitled to equal or greater protection under federal law and has now received it using 21 U.S.C. § 811(d).
Medical Cannabidiol Act Implementation
- March 27, 2026: Audio Recording
- March 27, 2026: MCB Meeting
- March 27, 2026: MCB Agenda
- November 14, 2025: MCB Minutes
Carl Olsen: Carl shared that President Trump signed legislation that will essentially shut down the consumable hemp program, and he suspects it is a segue into rescheduling cannabis to schedule III. He stated that a schedule III classification does not make the program legal, and encouraged the board to continue to have the recommendation of applying for a federal waiver as part of the annual report.
- January 1, 2026: 2025 Annual Report to the General Assembly
Future Meeting Dates
- Friday, July 24 at 10AM (virtual)
- Friday, November 6 at 10AM (virtual)
White House Executive Order on Cannabis Scheduling December 18, 2025
- HHS/CMS RIN: 0938-AV40 and 0938-AV63 Hemp Products, April 6, 2026
- HHS/CMS Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive, March 20, 2026
- HHS/FDA RIN: 0910-ZC82 Regulatory Review (CBD) March 13, 2026
- White House Fact Sheet on December 18th Executive Order
- White House Signing Event Youtube Video December 18, 2025
- CANNRA: Overview of the President's December 18th Executive Order and Implications of Marijuana Rescheduling
- Dentons: President Trump’s Executive Order on Marijuana Rescheduling also Directs HHS to Develop Models to Improve Access to Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products
- Proposed Medicare and Medicaid Regulations for 2026: Cannabis Products
CANNRA: 2025 U.S. Congressional Appropriations Language on Hemp
Consumable Hemp - Regulations: 641 IAC 156
Hemp Production - Regulations: 7 CFR Part 990
Moritz College of Law: Marijuana Rescheduling
Medical Cannabis
Featured
News Stories
Some Links
- Ganja Law
- Iris Aisle
- Iowa Cannabis Action Network
- Kight on Cannabis
- Americans for Safe Access
- Office of Medical Cannabidiol
- carl-olsen.com
- Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform
- Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation
- Cannabis Regulators
- Board of Health
- Board of Medicine
- Board of Pharmacy
- Iowa Administrative Rules