Tag: CBD

Murphy Named Executive Director of Iowa NORML

Iowa NORML has a new Executive Director.  GRL Law’s own Colin Murphy, long-time member of the NORML Legal Committee, recently assumed the leadership role. One of the first orders of business will be to recertify the state chapter with NORML. Murphy has been very active behind the scenes working closely with Carl Olsen, a leading national expert in cannabis advocacy and reform.  Together, they have petitioned the Drug Enforcement Administration to grant a federal exemption for the state-authorized use of medical cannabidiol in Iowa.   Medical cannabidiol is derived from marijuana containing concentrations of THC greater than 0.3 percent, which is […]

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GRL Law Considered Authority on Delta-8 THC by Task Force

The cannabis compliance attorneys at GRL Law received a call this week that brought smiles to the office. Apparently, one local task force is supplying copies of our most recent blog post on delta-8 THC to area retailers to explain the current state of the law on this particular cannabinoid.  When law enforcement is citing the firm as authority, then we must be experts, right? We think so. We help Iowa cannabusinesses maintain compliance with the changing landscape of consumable hemp laws and regulations. Have questions about manufacturing or the retail sale of hemp-derived products?  Give us a call at […]

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The Reciprocity Defense for Possessing Out-of-State Medical Marijuana in Iowa

When it comes to possession charges for out-of-state medical marijuana, you should look no further than GRL Law. Many prosecutors will charge these possession offenses under Iowa Code section 124.401(5).  This effectively treats medical marijuana like a street drug rather than a therapeutic purchased at a licensed dispensary.  Most attorneys who dabble in criminal defense accept this framing and go to work negotiating a mandatory minimum plea or deferred judgment. Not GRL Law. We won’t rest without fighting to get the charges dismissed. How do you choose the right attorney for this specialized possession charge in Iowa?  Just ask them […]

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Retail Sale of Raw Hemp Flower

Is it legal to sell raw hemp flower in Iowa? Yes, but it depends on the retailer’s intent. Iowa law prohibits “smokable” hemp where the intent is to inhale the products of combustion.  Possession or sale of such hemp products is punishable as a serious misdemeanor under Iowa Code section 204.14A. However, raw hemp flower, like hemp seed and powder, is very nutritious.  In addition to phytocannabinoid acids and terpenes, raw hemp flower contains essential fatty acids, amino acids, dietary fiber and other enzymes, vitamins and minerals. For that reason, it can be consumed like any other dark green leafy […]

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Retailers Should Avoid Delta-8 THC For Now in Iowa

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the availability of consumable hemp products now that the retail registration portal is open.  One of the more frequent questions we have been fielding concern the legal status of delta-8 THC in Iowa. Hemp is defined under state law to include “any part” of the plant of the genus cannabis and all “derivatives,” “extracts” and “cannabinoids” with a maximum delta-9 THC concentration of 0.30 percent.  So it would appear that delta-8 THC, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in hemp, would be legal to sell over the counter here, right? Not so fast. The amount of […]

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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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THC Levels Do Not Predict Driving Impairment

The February 5, 2021 issue of Traffic Injury Prevention published results from an Australian study assessing the relationship between THC levels and driving performance.   Volunteers consumed vaporized cannabis samples of varying potencies containing THC, CBD and a placebo.  Blood and saliva samples were collected 30 minutes after inhalation and 3.5 hours later.  Researchers evaluated driving performance on a simulator. Nearly half of the participants failed to show driving impairment after 30 minutes despite showing THC levels above the per se limits, e.g., 5 ng/ml.  Several participants did show impairment at the 3.5 hour mark, but their THC levels were below […]

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Consequences of Marijuana Possession in a Commercial Motor Vehicle

The drug defense attorneys at GRL have blogged before on the pitfalls of being stopped by police with marijuana in your personal vehicle.  Fortunately, Iowa no longer suspends your driving privileges for drug convictions. Does this mean you can keep personal use quantities in the sleeper area of a semi truck? In a word, no.  Not unless, of course, you are looking to have your CDL privileges disqualified for six months. That’s right. You will lose your privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of most simple possession offenses.   Marijuana, amphetamines or any narcotic drug will do the […]

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THC Metabolites Detected in Urine Following Full-Spectrum CBD Use

The November 4, 2020 issue of JAMA Psychiatry published results from a recent study examining whether the use of full-spectrum CBD from legal hemp (< 0.30% Δ9-THC) would lead to positive urine test results for THC metabolites. It has been often assumed that hemp-derived cannabidiol products will test negative for urinary THC.  However, the study showed that half of subjects tested positive for carboxy-THC, an inactive metabolite of Δ9-THC, after four weeks of daily use.  Samples were initially screened through urine drug assays.  Positive screens were confirmed through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results suggest that individuals consistently using full-spectrum, hemp-derived […]

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Record CBD Seizure in Adair County Ends with Court-Ordered Return to Client

Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.  The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law prevailed again today by successfully securing a court order for the return of over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) products seized by local law enforcement.  The estimated retail value of these CBD products exceeded $3,000, which is believed to be the largest seizure of its kind in Adair County. The original basis for the seizure was the erroneous belief that our client was operating an unlicensed “medical cannabidiol” dispensary under Iowa Code Chapter 124E.  Medical cannabidiol in Iowa contains both concentrated CBD and THC extracted from marijuana and is heavily regulated by […]

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