DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Senate passed a bill unanimously Wednesday morning after the Iowa House moved it out of the chamber earlier this week.

The legislation would add “a beverage containing any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol” to existing Iowa code for open container laws relating to alcohol.

Those in the industry are all for regulations to protect businesses and the consumer.

“Consumer protection is definitely the top priority for our business and others in the industry,” said Corey Coleman, the owner of Sky High in Cedar Falls. “As well as making sure the consumer is going to be safe. And this bill, with the new addition here I think helps that along.”

“Safety is our number one priority for their customers,” said Phil Jeneary, a lobbyist for the Iowa HEMP Coalition.

But both are frustrated with a law passed last session that has driven business out of the state, forcing firings and some to close up shop.

“Our main focus at this point is out of state. Unfortunately we have geared the majority of our efforts to out-of-state at this point,” said Coleman. “…The container law I mean, that’s good regulation, right? That sensible regulation probably should have been done years ago. It’s good that it’s getting done finally today, but without some changes we’re going to continue to see businesses close and businesses leave.”

Under the law passed just last year, consumable hemp products can contain no more than four milligrams of THC per serving, and no more than 10 milligrams per container. There is hope in the industry something could change soon with those restrictions.

“What they’re hearing from business owners is that the law that was passed last year maybe went a little too far. And so they are open to looking at some of those regulations and seeing what other states are doing to make our state competitive,” said Jeneary.

The open container bill is now eligible for Governor Reynolds to sign into law, it makes it a simple misdemeanor with a $260 fine.

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