Is THCA Legal in Iowa? (Updated for 2024)

Disclaimer: The information in this article regarding cannabinoids is drawn from comprehensive research and we have made every effort to share the most accurate information available at the time of writing. Remember that legal status is handled differently by jurisdiction and can change status over time. The reader is advised to check the status of cannabinoids before acting and we do not accept liability for this information. This content is for educational purposes only.

The cannabis community has an appetite for new compounds.  This has created more opportunities for better cannabis experiences. Enter tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) – a novel non-psychoactive cannabinoid derived from hemp.

THCA could be the unicorn of the cannabinoid realm. But it’s complicated. While federal laws define the regulatory landscape, states (all states, including the Hawkeye State) control the permissibility and regulation of cannabis and cannabis derivatives such as THCA.

In this post, we demystify the legal state of THCA in Iowa. Further, we provide tips  for consuming THCA safely, responsibly, joyfully, and legally. 

Key Takeaways

• The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp and its derivatives, including THCA, as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis. 
• Iowa law differentiates sharply between marijuana and hemp, leading to complex legal interpretations for THCA.
• While THCA from hemp is not explicitly illegal, its legal status remains ambiguous due to its conversion to THC through decarboxylation.
• Iowa has banned several psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. THCA could face similar restrictions due to its potential psychoactivity.

What is THCA?

THCA is a cannabinoid, one of many chemical compounds naturally occurring in Cannabis. THCA is a direct precursor to the well-known psychoactive THC (or Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol).

THCA is found in raw (unprocessed) cannabis matter at varying concentrations. A product with high concentrations of THCA may offer a similar range of potential therapeutic benefits that THC provides, without the stoned-feeling.

The main distinguishing characteristic that separates THCA-rich products from other cannabis products the lack of psychoactivity. THCA does not, in its raw form, produce the intoxicating and euphoric effects associated with THC.

Only upon exposure to heat – a process known as decarboxylation – does THCA break apart and convert into the intoxicating THC that cannabis users know and love. It often surprises people to learn that consuming THCA-rich products such as raw cannabis or THCA-infused tinctures does not ‘get you high.’

In fact, THCA (or its activating acid, THCA-A) will not convert without the heat that turns it into THC. CBGA is the parent cannabinoid of THCA-A, CBGV-A, THCV-A and CBCV-A. Cannabinoids with ‘A’ at the end of their suffixes are called acids.

These cannabinoids got their names because they are bonded to a carboxylic acid group that must be heated to ‘activate’. When CBGA is exposed to heat, it is broken apart and the reaction changes the respective chemical structures of each cannabinoid, giving it an entirely different personality and set of therapeutic effects and benefits.

THCA and Federal Law

Iowa THCA Laws

The reason for this confusion is that THCA  turns into THC, but it’s still an entirely new, grey-area issue. Due to its differentiation from hemp and distinction from CBD, Iowa’s laws on marijuana and THC are complicated, and particularly for THCA.

In Iowa, marijuana and hemp are strictly separated and have different legal statuses. Persistent legal issues arise over THCA due to its differences from CBD and potential status as marijuana. Sorting out the legal status of THCA starts with the specific differences in molecular structure and effects, two elements that also separates CBD.

This hemp derivative primarily comes from the flower part of industrial hemp, but during decarboxylation (exposure to heat of some kind),  it converts to THC, the cannabinoid that causes marijuana’s intoxicating effects.

For this reason, THCA has what many would consider a “split personality.” This property and the concern of potential, intoxicating conversions into THC mostly befalls THCA but not CBD because CBD is non-psychoactive, thus much more popular, and most people avoid products with a propensity for THC. Iowa’s laws regarding THCA currently reflect and address the controlled status of THCA.

Possession limits, testing mandates and other factors regarding its psychoactive conversion to THC may or may not already be part of Iowa’s THCA legislation. State lawmakers have also addressed the legal status of other psychoactive hemp cannabinoids, in particular, Delta-8, and more recently, Delta-10 and HHC.

These phytocannabinoids and other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC, THCVA and produced through hemp cultivation but are not CBD. The hemp flower part of the plant contains a lot more than CBD. Products containing these newer tinctures of THCA and hybrids include Delta-8 Sugar Queen pre-rolls.

Is THCA a Controlled Substance in Iowa?

THCA Possession Limits in Iowa.

Iowa has not yet defined specific possession limits for THCA, but if any, they would be determined by state law. So, staying informed about current regulations is vital, as the limits are constantly evolving.

To date, Iowa has a medical marijuana program that allows individuals 18 years and over, qualified and accredited with a medical cannabis card, to purchase up to 4.5g (4500mg) of total THC per 90-day period or even more if the practitioner recommends.

Nevertheless, Iowa maintains strict restrictions on particular hemp-derived, potentially psychoactive cannabinoids like Delta-8. In fact, Iowa prohibits the sale and possession of all THC isomers, except for naturally occurring THC derived from industrial hemp in concentrations of 0.3% or less on a dry weight basis.

Since Iowa restricts all inhalable products that contain potentially psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoids, some THCA products, especially THCA vapes, flower, and concentrates, could fall under the same laws that ban Delta-8 in Iowa.

Is THCA Legal in Iowa?

There’s no simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to this question – only that THCA is technically legal in Iowa. The Hawkeye State has no pronouncement on the legality of THCA but it does restrict hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids.

The state reserves the right to allow the commercialization of hemp, consistent with rules governing cannabinoid’s mainstream use. On 17 June 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law legalizing the possession and sale of consumable hemp products like CBD.

However, Iowa contextualizes hemp products as ‘intended to be introduced into the human body by any method of inhalation’ – deeming them marijuana, it says, and making such products illegal.

That legal landscape continually changes as legislators form opinions on cannabis and its derivatives, or debate existing law, or try to change it. It’s unclear whether there are proposals to legalize marijuana in the Hawkeye State.

Is THCA Safe?

Yes. THCA is generally safe, especially in its raw, non-psychoactive form. However, it is essential to note that research on the safety profile of THCA is still ongoing. It is crucial to exercise caution and be aware of the potential effects of THCA when decarboxylating it into THC.

Like other hemp-derived psychoactive-cannabinoids such as Delta-8, Delta-10, or THCV, THCA has the ability to provide a range of unique effects that must be considered when using products containing this compound.

THCA, in its raw form, is non-psychoactive and could provide some of the benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effects of THC. But when decarboxylated, THCA becomes psychoactive. As such, keep the following considerations in mind when consuming it:

• Start with a low dose: Start with a small dose to gauge your tolerance and body response to THCA.
• Use quality products: Make sure you buy your THCA products from reputable brands that provide lab-tested, high-quality options.
• Consult a healthcare professional: If you have any underlying medical condition or are taking medications, it’s wise to consult a healthcare provider before using THCA or any other cannabinoid product.

Where to Buy THCA in Iowa

If you are considering trying THCA, choose products of proven quality from trusted brands with good user reviews to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. It’s advisable to get your products online directly from the manufacture or certified retailers.

Fortunately, THCA is federally legal, and the post office is a federal agency, so most THCA products available online can make it to your home in Iowa without any problems.

If you are looking for the best THCA products, we got you! At Botany Farms, we have a vast catalog of top-shelf THCA products to cater to every palate. We have a varied selection of THCA-rich strains to please all tastes: THCA Blueberry Kush pre-rolls and Gorilla Skunk THCA flower are great for those who like soothing Indicas.

We also have a select batch of Cheetah Piss THCA for users seeking the balanced effects of an outstanding hybrid. Some energizing Sativa like the Purple Tangie THCA buds or half-gram pre-rolls of our vibrant Strawberry Banana Kush THCA are worthy considerations.

Not smoking? No problem! Experience an extraordinary THCA journey full of flavor and therapeutic potency with our exclusive THCA live resin vape carts.

Whichever option you choose, taking safety and legality considerations is crucial when using THCA products. 

Stay updated on the latest developments on Iowa’s local cannabis regulations to ensure compliance. Maintain discreteness while using THCA products in public places to avoid any inconveniences. With responsible use and proper safety measures, Hawkeyes can now enjoy all the potential benefits that THCA holds.

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304621/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9666035/
• https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
• https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-bill-regulating-thc-in-consumable-hemp-products-headed-to-gov-kim-reynolds-desk
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549281/
• https://norml.org/laws/iowa-penalties-2/
• https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/consumable-hemp

This article was last updated in April 2024 and the information provided in relation to US federal and state cannabis laws is accurate as of the date provided. Due to the rapidly changing cannabis bill across the state and federal levels in the US, the information herein may become outdated at any time.

Additionally, this article is NOT intended to be legal advice. Botany Farms does NOT provide legal advice, nor is any individual or entity associated with Botany Farms. Please consult official state government websites for current information regarding cannabis laws for your state.