Iowa licenses medical cannabidiol dispensaries under Iowa Code §124E; Des Moines hosts state-licensed dispensaries subject to standard commercial zoning and state buffer requirements.
Iowa allows only medical cannabidiol products (low-THC) under Iowa Code Ch. 124E, administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Office of Medical Cannabidiol. The state caps dispensaries statewide and licenses operators directly; Des Moines has hosted authorized locations such as the MedPharm dispensary. Dispensaries must site in commercial or industrial zones consistent with Des Moines PlanDSM 2040 form-based code, comply with state security and inventory requirements, and serve only registered patients with a valid Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Card. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Iowa.
Operating an unlicensed dispensary, selling to non-cardholders, or violating state security/inventory rules can result in license revocation and felony state charges separate from city zoning enforcement.
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