Tag: 124E

Reciprocity Defense for Medical Marijuana Results in Two Dismissals

Frequent visitors to the GRL Law Blog are no doubt familiar with our approach to defending medical marijuana charges. The drug defense lawyers recently raised this reciprocity defense in two separate cases.  The first dealt with raw cannabis flower purchased in another state with a valid medical card.  The other concerned edibles. In both cases, the court entered an order granting the defense and dismissing the charge at the state’s cost. We believe these are the first rulings of their kind in the state on the issue of reciprocity. Charged with possession of marijuana for out-of-state medical marijuana?  GRL knows […]

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Study Finds No Association Between CBD Use and Liver Abnormalities

The medical journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research recently published an article examining the relationship between CBD and liver function. Researchers affiliated with UCLA and the University of Buffalo assessed nearly 1500 volunteers who consumed oral CBD products for a minimum of 30 days. The authors identified “no relationship between continuing to take CBD, daily dose of CBD and ALT [an enzyme found mostly in the liver] levels or change in ALT elevation severity.”  Elevated levels of the enzyme can indicate liver disease.

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Should Iowa Dispensaries Offer Smokable Cannabis?

Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program needs a boost. Marijuana extracts containing THC and CBD have been available to qualifying medical patients now for three years. The products are safe to use.  And the risk of diversion is virtually non-existent. While the program is slowly growing, it may not be fast enough to keep the doors open.  Total sales statewide this year through October total $4.9 million.  By comparison, the State of Missouri sold $24.2 million in October alone. What’s the solution? Smokable cannabis. Iowa already allows vape extracts.  We also grant reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana products.  So, it’s not too […]

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Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program Data Through October 2021

December 1, 2021 marks the three year anniversary since Iowa began distributing medical cannabidiol to certified patients.  Here is some of the data for the program through October 2021: There are 1,549 certifying health practitioners.  7,323 active patient cardholders. 16,591 cumulative patient cards issued. All of this above data is trending upward, which is great for the program. Chronic pain accounts for more than 70.28% of the qualifying medical condition by active cardholders followed by PTSD at 12.60%. Vaporizable cannabidiol represents 50% of the products sold in the last year.  High THC products are preferred nearly 2:1 over high CBD […]

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Murphy Presents at NORML ISU Chapter Meeting

On October 13, 2021 GRL Law’s own Colin Murphy spoke before a packed room of cannabis activists at the ISU Memorial Union. The presentation for NORML ISU focused on the current status of marijuana and cannabis extracts.  Colin discussed what not to do during traffic stops.  He also reviewed important driver rights to assert during detention and arrest. GRL’s firm culture emphasizes public outreach especially when it comes to emerging legal issues like cannabis.  Our attorneys regularly take part in educating the general public, criminal defense bar and bench. Presentations like this are what sets GRL Law apart as the […]

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Murphy Presents on Cannabis Extracts at IAJ Criminal Law Seminar

On September 16, 2021 Colin Murphy presented at the annual Iowa Association for Justice Criminal Law Seminar in Iowa City. The presentation focused on the current legal status of cannabis extracts.  In particular, Colin demonstrated how defense attorneys can defend against marijuana charges involving extracts such as CBD, medical cannabidiol and delta-8 THC.     The firm takes great pride in helping to educate both the bench and bar on emerging legal issues. GRL Law.  We know hemp.

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Iowa Should Seek Federal Exemption for State Marijuana Laws

Another year, another flurry of legislative activity regarding the decriminalization of marijuana in Iowa.  The latest iteration introduced today in the Judiciary Committee is SF 406. There is certainly plenty to like in the bill.  Simple possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana flower is legal.  Accommodation of up to an ounce without remuneration?  Legal.  Gatherings?  Again, legal.  Retail marijuana cultivation and sales permitted. But the Iowa legislature continues to overlook one critical issue. Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level.   So, the specter of federal prohibition and prosecution continues to be ever present. Yes, […]

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The Legal Status of Hemp Extract in Iowa (Current as of 3/20/2020)

If you are a regular visitor to the blog, then you will recall that way back in May 2019, GRL predicted that it would only be a matter of time before the state explicitly legalized hemp and cannabinoids extracted from hemp, like cannabidiol or CBD following passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. We couldn’t have been more prescient.  Not long after the post published, Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 599, now known as the Iowa Hemp Act codified under Iowa Code chapter 204. That means the over-the-counter CBD is legal for retail sale, right? Not exactly. The law in Iowa […]

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