Medical cannabidiol Act registration card program, 154.1 to 154.14
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT[641]
Adopted and Filed Emergency
ARC 3150C
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code sections 17A.3(1)“b” and 136.3(9), the Department of Public Health hereby amends Chapter 154, “Medical Cannabidiol Act Registration Card Program,” Iowa Administrative Code.
On May 12, 2017, then Governor Branstad signed 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, which repealed existing Iowa Code chapter 124D and enacted new Iowa Code chapter 124E, the Medical Cannabidiol Act. The legislation was effective upon enactment. House File 524 expanded the state’s existing Medical Cannabidiol Act in a number of ways, including expanding the list of conditions for which a patient is eligible to receive a medical cannabidiol patient or primary caregiver registration card, establishing a Medical Cannabidiol Board, providing for licensure of medical cannabidiol manufacturers and dispensaries, establishing a fee structure for registration cards and licensure applications, and adding a new requirement for a real-time, 24/7 statewide medical cannabidiol registry management sale tracking system.
With the repeal of Iowa Code chapter 124D, there is currently no process in place through which the Department can approve medical cannabidiol registration card applications. The purpose of these amendments is to update the Department’s existing administrative rules adopted under the prior Medical Cannabidiol Act to reflect the amendments made to the patient and primary caregiver registration card issuance process. Additional rules will be needed to fully implement House File 524, and those rules will be brought forward at a later date.
Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.4(3), the Department finds that notice and public participation are impracticable and contrary to the public interest because 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, was effective upon enactment and repealed Iowa Code chapter 124D, which was the legal authority for the Department’s issuance of patient and primary caregiver registration cards. Following the repeal of Iowa Code chapter 124D on May 12, 2017, the Department has been unable to approve applications for patient and primary caregiver registration cards for any patient, including those with intractable epilepsy. These amendments are focused on the patient and primary caregiver card application and renewal processes only. Additional rules will be required for the manufacturing and dispensing components of 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524; however, those additional rules require input from the newly created Medical Cannabidiol Board, which has yet to be appointed. Proposed rules for the manufacturing and dispensing components of House File 524 will come at a later date.
In compliance with Iowa Code section 17A.4(3)“a,” the Administrative Rules Review Committee at its June 13, 2017, meeting reviewed the Department’s determination and this rule making and approved emergency adoption.
Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.5(2)“b”(1)(b), the Department also finds that the normal effective date of these amendments, 35 days after publication, should be waived and the amendments made effective June 13, 2017, because the rules confer a benefit to members of the public seeking to obtain a patient or primary caregiver registration card as allowed by 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524 [new Iowa Code chapter 124E]. The benefit is that the Department will again be in a position to process medical cannabidiol registration cards for patients and primary caregivers. The application approval process is currently suspended until the existing rules are amended.
These amendments are also published herein under Notice of Intended Action as ARC 3151C to allow for public comment.
The Department anticipates implementation of 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, will cause the expenditure of state funds in excess of $100,000 per year. Anticipated costs include personnel to oversee the startup and administration of the program, technology solutions that will be necessary to adequately track registration card applicants, and postage and supplies needed to communicate with card applicants.
Waiver provisions for these rules are located at 641—Chapter 178.
The State Board of Health adopted these amendments on June 8, 2017, subject to the approval of the Administrative Rules Review Committee on June 13, 2017.
After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found. These amendments are intended to implement 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524. These amendments became effective June 13, 2017.
The following amendments are adopted.
ITEM 1.Amend rule 641—154.1(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.1(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Definitions. For the purposes of these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
“Bordering state” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 331.910.
“Cannabidiol” means a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant Cannabis sativa L. or Cannabis indica or any other preparation thereof that is essentially free from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of no more than 3 percent.
“Date of expiration” means one year from the date of issuance of the medical cannabidiol registration card by the department of transportation.
“Date of issuance” means the date of issuance of the medical cannabidiol registration card by the department of transportation.
“Debilitating medical condition” means any of the following:
“Department” means the Iowa department of public health.
“Department of transportation” means the Iowa department of transportation.
“Disqualifying felony offense” means a violation under federal or state law of a felony under federal or state law, which has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined in 21 U.S.C. §802(6).
“Health care practitioner” means an individual licensed under Iowa Code chapter 148 to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery who is a patient’s primary care provider. “Health care practitioner” shall not include a physician assistant licensed under Iowa Code chapter 148C or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 152 or 152E.
“Intractable epilepsy” means an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or significantly ameliorate recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects.
“Medical assistance program” means IA Health Link, Medicaid Fee-for-Service, or HAWK-I, as administered by the Iowa Medicaid enterprise of the Iowa department of human services.
“Medical cannabidiol” means any pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid found in the plant Cannabis sativa L. or Cannabis indica or any other preparation thereof that has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of
no more than 3 percent and that is delivered in a form recommended by the medical cannabidiol board, approved by the board of medicine, and designated in this chapter.
“Neurologist” means an allopathic or osteopathic physician board-certified in neurology in good standing and licensed under Iowa Code chapter 148.
“Patient” means a person who is a permanent resident of the state of Iowa who suffers from intractable epilepsy and has received a recommendation from a neurologist a debilitating medical condition that qualifies for the medical use of medical cannabidiol pursuant to 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524.
“Permanent resident” means a natural person who physically resides in Iowa as the person’s principal and primary residence and who establishes evidence of such residency by providing the department with one of the following:
“Primary caregiver” means a person who is a resident of this state or a bordering state, including but not limited to a parent or legal guardian, at least 18 years of age, who has been designated by a patient’s neurologist or a person having custody of a patient, health care practitioner as being necessary to take responsibility for managing the well-being of the patient with respect to the medical use of cannabidiol pursuant to the provisions of 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360 a necessary caretaker taking responsibility for managing the well-being of the patient with respect to the use of medical cannabidiol pursuant to the provisions of 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524.
“Primary care provider” means any health care practitioner involved in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient’s debilitating medical condition.
“State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Untreatable pain” means any pain whose cause cannot be removed and, according to generally accepted medical practice, the full range of pain management modalities appropriate for the patient has been used without adequate result or with intolerable side effects.
“Written certification” means a document signed by a health care practitioner, with whom the patient has established a patient-provider relationship, which states that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and identifies that condition and provides any other relevant information.
ITEM 2.Amend rule 641—154.2(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.2(85GA,SF236087GA,HF524)Neurologist recommendation—medical use of cannabidiol Health care practitioner certification—duties.
154.2(1) A neurologist who has examined and treated a patient suffering from intractable epilepsy may provide, but has no duty to provide, a written recommendation for the patient’s medical use of cannabidiol to treat or alleviate symptoms of intractable epilepsy if no other satisfactory treatment options exist for the patient and all of the following conditions apply Prior to a patient’s submission of an application for a medical cannabidiol registration card pursuant to this rule, a health care practitioner shall do all of the following:
debilitating medical condition that qualifies for the use of medical cannabidiol as defined by this chapter, and if so determined, provide the patient with a written certification of that diagnosis by completing the health care practitioner section of the application form provided for this purpose on the department’s Web site (www.idph.iowa.gov).
154.2(2) The neurologist is required to use the written recommendation section of the application form provided for this purpose on the department’s Web site (www.idph.state.ia.us). Subsequently, the health care practitioner shall do the following:
154.2(3) The neurologist, or authorized persons in the neurologist’s office or clinic, is required to complete the written recommendation section of the application form and send the application to the department’s address as provided on the application form A health care practitioner may provide, but has no duty to provide, a written certification pursuant to this rule.
154.2(4) A neurologist who provides a written recommendation pursuant to this chapter shall maintain a record-keeping system for all patients for whom the neurologist has recommended the medical use of cannabidiol to treat or alleviate symptoms of intractable epilepsy.
154.2(5) A neurologist who provides a written recommendation pursuant to this chapter is required to participate in any survey that will be conducted by the department on the implementation of the medical cannabidiol Act. Any such survey will adhere to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
ITEM 3.Amend rule 641—154.3(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.3(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Cannabidiol Medical cannabidiol registration card—application and issuance to patient.
154.3(1) The Subject to subrule 154.3(7), the department may approve the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card by the department of transportation to a patient who:
recommendation and signed by the neurologist patient’s health care practitioner certifying that the
patient may benefit from the medical use of cannabidiol is suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
154.3(2) Upon the completion, verification, and approval of the patient’s application and the receipt of the required fee, the department shall notify the department of transportation that the patient may be issued a medical cannabidiol registration card.
154.3(3) A medical cannabidiol registration card issued to a patient by the department of transportation shall contain all of the following:
154.3(4) A patient in possession of a valid cannabidiol registration card issued pursuant to this rule shall not possess a quantity of cannabidiol oil in excess of 32 ounces Every patient 18 years of age or older must obtain a valid medical cannabidiol registration card to use medical cannabidiol in Iowa.
154.3(5) An authorization to use medical cannabidiol or marijuana for medicinal purposes issued by another state, territory, or jurisdiction does not satisfy the requirements of 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, or these rules for the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card.
154.3(6) A valid medical cannabidiol registration card, or its equivalent, issued under the laws of another state that allow an out-of-state patient to possess or use medical cannabidiol in the jurisdiction of issuance shall have the same force and effect as a valid medical cannabidiol registration card issued pursuant to 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, except that an out-of-state patient in Iowa shall not obtain medical cannabidiol from a medical cannabidiol dispensary in Iowa.
154.3(7) The department shall not approve the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card for a patient who is enrolled in a federally approved clinical trial for the treatment of a debilitating medical condition with medical cannabidiol.
ITEM 4.Amend rule 641—154.4(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.4(85GA,SF236087GA,HF524)CannabidiolMedical cannabidiolregistration card—application and issuance to primary caregiver.
154.4(1) For a patient in a primary caregiver’s care, the department may approve the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card by the department of transportation to a primary caregiver who:
recommendation and signed by the neurologist patient’s health care practitioner certifying that the patient may benefit from the medical use of cannabidiol pursuant to 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360, section 4 is suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
154.4(2) Upon the completion, verification, and approval of the primary caregiver’s application, the department shall notify the department of transportation that the primary caregiver may be issued a medical cannabidiol registration card.
154.4(3) A medical cannabidiol registration card issued to a primary caregiver by the department of transportation shall contain all of the following:
154.4(4) A primary caregiver in possession of a valid cannabidiol registration card issued pursuant to this rule shall not possess a quantity of cannabidiol oil in excess of 32 ounces per patient A patient who is 18 years of age or older must have an approved application and a distinguishing medical cannabidiol registration number that is not the patient’s social security number prior to the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card to the patient’s primary caregiver.
154.4(5) An authorization to use, or to act as a primary caregiver for a patient authorized to use, cannabidiol or marijuana for medicinal purposes issued by another state, territory, or jurisdiction does not satisfy the requirements of 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, or these rules for the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card.
ITEM 5.Amend rule 641—154.5(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.5(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Tamperproofing. The department of transportation shall issue a medical cannabidiol registration card by a method or process which prevents as nearly as possible the alteration, reproduction, or superimposition of a photograph on the cannabidiol registration card without ready detection.
ITEM 6.Amend rule 641—154.6(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.6(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Denial and cancellation. The department may deny an application for a medical cannabidiol registration card, or may cancel or direct the department of transportation to cancel a medical cannabidiol registration card, for any of the following reasons:
ITEM 7.Amend rule 641—154.7(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.7(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Appeal. If the department denies an application for or cancels a medical cannabidiol registration card, the department shall inform the applicant or cardholder of the denial or cancellation and state the reasons for the denial or cancellation in writing. An applicant or cardholder may appeal the denial or cancellation of a medical cannabidiol registration card by submitting a request for appeal to the department by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 20 days of receipt of the notice of denial or cancellation. The department’s address is Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075. Upon receipt of a request for appeal, the department shall forward the request within five working days to the department of inspections and appeals. A contested case hearing shall be conducted in accordance with 641—Chapter 173.
ITEM 8. Amend rule 641—154.8(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.8(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Duplicate card.
154.8(1) Lost, stolen, or destroyed card. To replace a medical cannabidiol registration card that is lost, stolen, or destroyed, a cardholder shall present to the department of transportation the cardholder’s valid state-issued driver’s license, nonoperator’s identification card, or alternative form of valid photo identification provided pursuant to paragraph 154.3(1)“d”(2)“3” or 154.4(1)“c”(3)“4.”
154.8(2) Change in card information and voluntary replacement.
154.8(3) Expiration date. A duplicate medical cannabidiol registration card shall have the same expiration date as the medical cannabidiol registration card being replaced, changed, or amended.
ITEM 9.Amend rule 641—154.9(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.9(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Renewal. A medical cannabidiol registration card shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance unless canceled pursuant to rule 641—154.6(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524).
154.9(1) A cardholder seeking renewal of a medical cannabidiol registration card shall submit a renewal application and fee to the department at least 60 days prior to the date of expiration.
154.9(2) A cardholder who fails to renew the medical cannabidiol registration card may not lawfully possess medical cannabidiol pursuant to this chapter.
ITEM 10.Amend rule 641—154.10(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.10(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Confidentiality. The department shall maintain a confidential file of the names of each patient to or for whom the department approves the issuance of a medical cannabidiol registration card and the name of each primary caregiver to whom the department issues a medical cannabidiol registration card under 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360, section 5 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, section 7.
154.10(1) Personally identifiable information of patients and primary caregivers shall be maintained as confidential and is not accessible to the public. The department and the department of transportation shall release aggregate and statistical information regarding the medical cannabidiol act registration card program in a manner which prevents the identification of any patient or primary caregiver.
154.10(2) Personally identifiable information of patients and primary caregivers may be disclosed under the following limited circumstances:
ITEM 11.Amend rule 641—154.11(85GA,SF2360) as follows:
641—154.11(85GA,SF2360 87GA,HF524) Agreement with department of transportation. The department may enter into a chapter 28E agreement with the department of transportation to facilitate the issuance of medical cannabidiol registration cards. The agreement may include provisions which govern the issuance, denial, and cancellation of medical cannabidiol registration cards, and the sharing of information between the department and the department of transportation, and reimbursement for costs incurred by the department of transportation for issuing the card.
ITEM 12. Adopt the following new rule 641—154.12(87GA,HF524) as follows:
641—154.12(87GA,HF524) Fees. All fees are nonrefundable.
154.12(1) Patient medical cannabidiol registration card fee.
154.12(2) Primary caregiver medical cannabidiol registration card fee.
ITEM 13. Adopt the following new rule 641—154.13(87GA,HF524) as follows:
641—154.13(87GA,HF524) Use of medical cannabidiol—smoking prohibited. A patient shall not consume medical cannabidiol possessed or used pursuant to 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, by smoking medical cannabidiol.
ITEM 14. Adopt the following new rule 641—154.14(87GA,HF524) as follows:
641—154.14(87GA,HF524) Form and quantity of medical cannabidiol.
154.14(1) Patient. A patient in possession of a valid medical cannabidiol registration card issued pursuant to this chapter shall not possess a quantity of medical cannabidiol in excess of 32 ounces.
154.14(2) Primary caregiver. A primary caregiver in possession of a valid medical cannabidiol registration card issued pursuant to this chapter shall not possess a quantity of medical cannabidiol in excess of 32 ounces for each patient for whom the person is registered as a primary caregiver.
154.14(3) Form and quantity. The form and quantity of medical cannabidiol authorized in this rule may be modified pursuant to recommendations by the medical cannabidiol board established pursuant to 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524, and subsequent approval of the recommendations by the board of medicine.
ITEM 15.Amend 641—Chapter 154, implementation sentence, as follows:
These rules are intended to implement 2014 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2360 2017 Iowa Acts, House File 524.
[Filed Emergency 6/13/17, effective 6/13/17] [Published 7/5/17]
EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 7/5/17.
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Rule 641-154.1 Rule 641-154.10 Rule 641-154.11 Rule 641-154.12 Rule 641-154.12(1) Rule 641-154.12(2) Rule 641-154.13 Rule 641-154.14 Rule 641-154.2 Rule 641-154.3 Rule 641-154.3(1)"d" Rule 641-154.3(7) Rule 641-154.4 Rule 641-154.4(1)"c" Rule 641-154.5 Rule 641-154.6 Rule 641-154.7 Rule 641-154.8 Rule 641-154.9 Rule 653-13.7 Rule 761-605.11(2) Rule 761-605.25(4) Rule 761-630.3The following Iowa code references were added to this document. You may click a reference to view related notices.
Iowa Code 141A.1 Iowa Code 148 Iowa Code 148C Iowa Code 152 Iowa Code 152E Iowa Code 28E Iowa Code 331.910The following keywords and tags were added to this document. You may click a keyword to view related notices.
Agreement with department of transportation Appeal Change in card information and voluntary replacement Confidentiality Definitions Denial and cancellation Duplicate card Expiration date Fees Form and quantity Form and quantity of medical cannabidiol Health care practitioner certification—duties Lost, stolen, or destroyed card Neurologist recommendation—medical use of cannabidiol Patient Patient medical cannabidiol registration card fee Primary caregiver Primary caregiver medical cannabidiol registration card fee Renewal Tamperproofing Use of medical cannabidiol—smoking prohibited© 2025 State of Iowa | Privacy Policy