Practitioners
qualifying a patient
To legally receive or administer treatment using medical cannabis in Iowa, patients or primary caregivers must have medical cannabis registration cards. To obtain a card, patients are required to submit applications with certification from their primary healthcare practitioners that they have a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
Learn more on the IDPH website: idph.iowa.gov/cbd/For-Physicians
helpful links
A list of our recommended research involving cannabis and the approved conditions in Iowa.
Cannabis dosing guidance: A Review of Medical Cannabis Studies relating to Chemical Compositions and Dosages for Qualifying Medical Conditions
Healthcare info: Information for Health Care Professionals Cannabis and the cannabinoids.
Who is a Practitioner?
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) defines a healthcare practitioner as an individual licensed under chapter 148 to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.
Requirements of Health Practitioners
Healthcare practitioners in Iowa are not obligated to provide certification for a medical cannabis registration card, even if the requesting patient has a qualifying medical condition. If a medical practitioner agrees to provide certification, he or she is required to complete the actions listed by the IDPH.
Healthcare practitioners in Iowa are not allowed to write prescriptions for medical cannabis or determine dosing. Dispensary technicians from MedPharm Iowa will work directly with patients and primary care providers to supply the right products and dosing for their treatment.
The role of a primary healthcare practitioner is to consult with their patient about medical cannabis as a treatment option for a debilitating health condition. Their role also includes providing certification for the IDPH that a patient suffers from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical cannabidiol registration card, although they are not required to do so.
Send Us Your Questions
Use our contact form to send questions regarding medical cannabis to our team of licensed medical professionals.