Open beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that are legal under Iowa’s consumable hemp regulations would not be permitted in passenger areas of vehicles while driving under the legislation. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)
The Iowa Senate sent three bills to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk Wednesday, including a measure that would prohibit open containers of drinks containing THC in vehicles.
The Senate unanimously approved House File 181, a bill limiting the consumption of drinks containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in vehicles. The measure would apply restrictions currently in place for alcoholic beverages in vehicles to THC drinks, stating that open or unsealed THC beverages are prohibited in passenger area of a vehicle when in operation. Open drinks can still be transported in the trunk of a vehicle, or behind the last upright seat if the vehicle does not have a trunk.
This measure applies to otherwise lawful THC drinks as defined by the 2024 law that set a limit of 4 milligrams of THC per serving for consumable hemp products.
The House passed the measure unanimously Monday. Rep. Zach Dieken, R-Granville, who serves as an Iowa State Patrol trooper, said “we run into this quite frequently,” and the change would address an oversight in current Iowa law. Rep. Jerome Amos Jr., D-Waterloo, also urged his colleagues Monday to support the bill during floor debate as a public safety measure.
“This is a important bill from a standpoint of ensuring that individuals that are driving on the road, also like with alcohol, are not driving impaired,” Amos Jr. said.
Two other bills already passed by the Iowa House also received unanimous, final approval in the Senate Wednesday:
- House File 180 would require any person convicted of grooming as a criminal offense to register as a Tier I sex offender. Under current Iowa law, grooming is a Class D felony — conviction of grooming also requires that a person is committed to custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections for 10 years in addition to sentencing for any other offenses, and must register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years after their release.
- House File 182 would bring Iowa’s uniform Controlled Substances Act in line with the federal controlled substances act, making changes to the scheduling of some illicit drugs including certain opioid and stimulant substances.
These bills next go to Reynolds, who can sign the measures into law or veto them.