Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 78Died when the session ended · January 16, 2025

Relating to the possession of small quantities of marijuana, and providing penalties

Sponsored by Rep. Megan Jones (R)

Topics:Alcohol, cannabis & gamingCrime & corrections

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
  2. Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
  3. Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
  4. Next: Passes the House
  5. Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary People caught with half an ounce or less of marijuana that they were not trying to sell would face a $500 fine and a simple misdemeanor charge. Under current laws, these same actions could lead to much more serious penalties, including felonies. This change replaces the existing rules for how these small amounts of marijuana are punished.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the possession of small quantities of marijuana. The bill provides that certain conduct involving one-half ounce or less of marijuana that was not offered for sale is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $500. Current law imposes penalties ranging from an aggravated misdemeanor up to a class “B” felony depending upon the conduct of the defendant and the quantity of marijuana. The bill repeals Code section 124.410, which involves proving that the defendant delivered or possessed with intent to deliver one-half ounce or less of marijuana that was not offered for sale.

Why it matters. People caught possessing one-half ounce or less of marijuana that was not offered for sale would face a simple misdemeanor and a $500 fine instead of more serious felony or aggravated misdemeanor charges. This change replaces current laws that impose higher penalties based on the specific conduct and quantity of marijuana involved.2

Full bill text3

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§124.401§805.8A

Repeals§124.410

How the Code works4

Lobbying

6 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →

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