Herbal IQ

05/13/2026

Big news for Iowa patients and families following the medical cannabis program.

HF 990 is a step toward expanding access by increasing the number of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed in Iowa from 5 to 10. For many patients, this is not just a policy update. It’s about distance, availability and having more realistic access to the products they rely on.

This doesn’t solve every issue in the program, but it does move the conversation in the right direction.

At Herbal IQ, I’ll continue watching what this means for patients, providers and the future of cannabis access in Iowa.

What do you think Iowa should focus on next: more education, more access or both?



Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not legal or medical advice.

05/13/2026

“The rush to provide senior citizens with medical ma*****na will require considerable legal, scientific and commercial infrastructures, which, in an ideal world, would avoid repeating historical mistakes by forming with clarity and coordination.” By Emily Dufton Everyone knows that last month wa...

05/08/2026

The future of cannabis needs more than momentum. It needs education, trust and responsible leadership.

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone working in the cannabis and h**p space.

This industry has never been easy. It has required patience, courage, education, resilience and a deep belief that people deserve better information, better access and better conversations around plant-based wellness.

To the retailers helping customers every day, the medical providers asking better questions, the legislators trying to understand complex policy, the manufacturers working through compliance, the educators sharing knowledge, the farmers and processors building from the ground up and the advocates continuing to show up, I appreciate you.

With recent federal action moving state-licensed medical ma*****na and FDA-approved ma*****na products to Schedule III, cannabis education is entering a new and important chapter. Broader cannabis reform is still unfolding, and many legal, healthcare, business, and compliance questions remain. That makes education more important, not less.

The next chapter of cannabis cannot be built on confusion. It must be built on trust.
We need education that is accurate.
We need language that is responsible.
We need businesses that understand compliance.
We need healthcare conversations grounded in science and care.
We need consumers who feel informed, not overwhelmed.

That is exactly why I created Herbal IQ Education & Consulting.

Our mission is to empower individuals, businesses, and healthcare professionals with trusted education in holistic wellness, regulatory insights and plant-based approaches to better health.

Herbal IQ helps organizations turn complex cannabis, h**p, wellness, and regulatory topics into clear, responsible, easy-to-understand education. That may include staff training, consumer education, healthcare presentations, senior wellness education, compliance-aware messaging, community events, policy education and consulting for businesses navigating a changing marketplace.

If you are a cannabis professional, medical provider, policymaker, wellness organization, manufacturer, retailer, senior care group, chamber, educator, or community leader, I would love to connect.

Let’s talk about how Herbal IQ can support your team, your audience, your patients, your customers or your organization through trusted education and responsible guidance.

Learn more here:
https://herbal-iq.com/

**pEducation

04/29/2026

Quick update from today’s Cannabis Chamber International Leadership call…

There’s a lot happening right now, and honestly, it’s exciting to see.

The Chamber continues to expand across the globe, with new regions, new leaders, and a growing number of events bringing people together. We’re seeing real momentum in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

But what really stood out to me today was this shift toward quality and professionalism.

Markets are opening, but they’re not opening loosely. They’re expecting structure, compliance and higher standards. That’s going to shape who succeeds moving forward.

Here in the U.S., the conversation around rescheduling is creating opportunity, but also a lot of unknowns. It’s something we all need to stay close to.

Overall, the industry is growing up… and it’s happening fast.

If you’re part of this community, now’s a great time to stay engaged, connect and be part of where this is going.

Appreciate this group and everyone pushing things forward.

04/27/2026

Licensed cannabis operators, don’t miss this.

The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce is offering a limited number of FREE 1 Year Memberships for qualified licensed operators. If you want stronger connections, more visibility, and a real community that helps you grow through partnerships, events, and industry updates, this is worth taking a look at.

Here’s what membership can support:
✅ networking and strategic partnerships
✅ member events and roundtables
✅ directory listing to get discovered
✅ policy and compliance alerts
✅ job board and talent connections

Spots are limited, so if you’re licensed and want to be part of a stronger industry network, apply now.

👉 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dmBR6mWz

More info: https://www.thecannabischamber.com/

04/27/2026

https://www.cannaspecialists.org/0428?recruiter_id=1633

This symposium will explore emerging ethical considerations in medical cannabis through insights from panelists representing clinical medicine, research, law, and policy.

04/23/2026

A Federal Shift on Cannabis Has Arrived… But Iowa Needs to Pay Close Attention.

This is one of the most important cannabis policy changes in decades. In April 2026, the federal government officially reclassified state-licensed medical cannabis to a less restrictive category.

👉 That means recognition of medical value
👉 More research opportunities
👉 Potential financial relief for medical operators

On paper, this is progress. But here’s the honest truth…For many Iowans, nothing changes overnight.

Patients are still facing:
• Limited access
• High costs
• Ongoing confusion

And there’s a bigger issue that’s not being talked about enough. While federal policy is moving toward medical cannabis acceptance, Iowa has taken a more restrictive approach to h**p-derived products.

👉 One system is opening up
👉 The other is tightening

That creates real tension for:
• Patients trying to find safe, effective options
• Retailers navigating constant change
• Policymakers balancing safety, access, and public health

💭 So where do we go from here?

• Will Iowa expand its medical cannabis program?
• What happens next with h**p-derived cannabinoids?
• Will access actually improve for the people who need it most?

This isn’t about hype. This is about real people, real policy, and the future of cannabis in Iowa. I break it all down in a new blog below
👉 https://herbal-iq.com/blog/

Let’s have an honest conversation. I’d genuinely like to hear your thoughts.

**pPolicy

04/17/2026

Iowa H**p & Cannabis in 2026… here’s the honest reality.

There’s a lot being said right now, but when you step back and look at what’s actually happening, the picture becomes much clearer.

Iowa isn’t expanding cannabis policy right now…
it’s refining and tightening what already exists.

We have:
• A limited medical program under Chapter 124E
• A highly regulated h**p market shaped by HF 2605
• Strict THC limits (4mg per serving / 10mg per container)
• No adult-use cannabis market

And while there’s been talk around a 15% h**p excise tax, that proposal (HSB 694 → HF 2676) hasn’t moved forward in a clean, active form… but it clearly signals where policy conversations are heading.

At the same time, the only bill with real traction is the expansion of medical dispensaries (HF 990 / SF 399), a practical step to improve patient access.

But here’s the piece that really matters…

Federal policy may become the biggest driver of change next.

There’s growing momentum to redefine h**p, potentially shifting to total THC (including THCA) and restricting certain product categories nationwide.

If that happens, the impact could be felt faster than anything happening at the state level.

Plain and simple:
• Iowa is tightening, not expanding
• The h**p market remains legal, but highly restricted
• Federal decisions could reshape the entire landscape

This is a moment to stay informed, stay aligned, and stay engaged.

Because the best outcomes happen when real voices are part of the conversation early.

If you want a deeper breakdown, I put together a full overview here:
👉 https://herbal-iq.com/

We’ll continue sharing updates in our “In The News” section as things evolve.

Curious what others are seeing right now, especially around product availability, customer behavior or policy conversations in your area.

04/13/2026

I’ve learned something the hard way: you can’t build in this industry alone.

That’s why I’m inviting you to our Midwest Virtual Networking Call
📅 Wed, April 15
🕕 6PM CST

It’s a simple hour to meet good people, build relationships, and stay connected to what’s happening across cannabis and h**p, including the legislative realities that impact all of us.

Comment CALL and we’ll send you the registration link.