Iowa beverage makers drop lawsuit over THC rules

Climbing Kites, headquartered in Des Moines, and North Liberty-based Field Day Brewing, maker of the “Day Dreamer” line of cannabis-infused sparkling water, asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in a filing Thursday to dismiss the case and for the parties to be responsible for their own attorneys’ fees.

A federal judge last month refused to block enforcement of the new Iowa law. With that legal setback for them, both Climbing Kites and Field Day Brewing have launched new products in compliance with the Iowa law.

Previously, the drinks produced by Climbing Kites, which are sold by Lua Brewing and Big Grove Brewery, came in 12-ounce cans containing 10, 5 and 2.5 milligrams of THC. The new products now come in two versions, with 4 milligrams and 2.5 milligrams of THC, in multiple flavors. The sparkling water drinks also contain CBD.

Field Day Brewing shifted production from beverages containing 2, 7 and 15 milligrams of THC per can to a single 4-milligram serving can that is compliant with House File 2605 and the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

A separate lawsuit by retail stores that sell consumable hemp products like gummies still is proceeding. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose, though, late last month also rejected a request from those companies for a temporary injunction of the state law.

STATE FAIR INSPECTIONS: Staff from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducted inspections of food stands, games and Midway rides ahead of the opening day Thursday of the Iowa State Fair.

The department’s Social and Charitable Gambling Unit reviewed the operations of all amusement concession games to verify they are licensed and conducted in a fair and honest manner.

Earlier this week, food safety specialists began inspecting food vendors and will continue to make sure food items are prepared and served in accordance with Iowa’s food safety laws at the fair. Inspectors also will respond to food safety concerns expressed by fairgoers, the agency said in a news release.

State inspectors also checked fair amusement rides before they were assembled. Inspectors will check the rides daily and monitor to make sure operators are conducting their own inspections of the rides, according to the news release.

“DIAL’s role is to ensure the Fair maintains its excellent reputation of safety and fairness,” the release states. “Our team of dedicated employees works in partnership with hundreds of vendors to ensure the Fair is a success.”

TREASURE HUNT AT STATE FAIR: State Treasurer Roby Smith invited Iowans to visit the “Great Iowa Treasure Hunt” booth at the Iowa State Fair and search for unclaimed property.

“The Iowa State Fair is our largest in-person outreach event. We currently have more than $521 million waiting to be claimed,” Smith said in a statement.

Located in the Varied Industries Building, the booth will be available for fairgoers to search and file a claim online.

Unclaimed property occurs when a business or financial institution loses contact with the owner of the asset after a specific period of time and turns it over to the State Treasurer’s Office for safekeeping.

The treasure hunt works to reunite assets with the owners or heirs. Common examples include forgotten checking and savings accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility refunds and safe deposit box contents.

To search for unclaimed property and for more information, go to GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.