Last year, after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Congress finally passed a stopgap funding bill — and ignited a ticking timebomb for the billion-dollar THC beverage industry. A provision slipped into the bill at the last minute changes federal law to effectively ban hemp-derived cannabis (delta-9) products starting Nov. 12, 2026. Even the […]
THC
Despite some legal setbacks, Iowa’s expanding cannabis beverage brands aren’t going anywhere
In the beer and wine section of Fareway, between the cases of Busch Light and White Claw, you can find a range of nonalcoholic beverage brands, all local. There’s Climbing Kites, a zero-calorie, zero-sugar citrusy sparkling water reminiscent of La Croix or Topo Chico (although they’ve rolled out two, more indulgent “Kitetail” Infusions: a caffeinated, […]
The Broccoli Beat: What’s in a bud?
People have used cannabis in a wide variety of forms and for many different reasons over the course of thousands of years, whether to treat anxiety and depression in ancient India, or enhance a Sleep concert in modern Middle America. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, though, that researchers began to isolate and identify the […]
Iowa’s medical marijuana program still in the weeds
Proponents of Iowa’s medical marijuana program say it must expand to sustain itself, but no clear path has emerged this spring. Their wish list includes making more medical conditions eligible for treatment, additional medical cannabis dispensaries across Iowa and a higher limit on permissible levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a mind-altering compound in marijuana.
A quick guide to cannabis
The debate around marijuana can get messy and confusing, but the smoke starts to lift when you understand the science.

