Missouri Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Missouri?

Missouri has fully legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Missouri?

Medical cannabis laws in Missouri

2014

• Governor Jay Nixon signed House Bill 2238 – the Missouri Medical Marijuana Bill – to legalize the use of CBD oil to treat persistent seizures. HB 2238 only allows hemp extract that contains at least 5% cannabidiol (CBD) and no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

2018

• Amendment 2 Medical Marijuana and Veteran Healthcare Services Initiative – this amendment was approved in November 2018 with 66% of the vote. It legalized marijuana for medical purposes and allowed physicians to recommend cannabis use to patients based on the listed conditions.

2022

• Missouri residents voted yes on Amendment 3 during the November 2022 election, legalizing recreational marijuana possession and use in adults at least 21 years old. The new law will also allow non-incarcerated individuals with non-violent marijuana charges to have their records reviewed and possibly have their convictions expunged. In addition, the amendment adds several new benefits for medical marijuana cardholders:
  • Medical marijuana cards are now valid for three years instead of one.
  • Monthly medical cannabis allotment increases from four to six ounces.
  • Employment protections to prevent discrimination if medical cannabis is used during non-work hours away from the worksite.
  • Missouri residency is no longer required to apply.
  • Nurse practitioners can now certify patients.
  • The cost to apply to grow cannabis will decrease from $100 to $50.
• As of December 8, 2022, consumers are allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana but won’t be able to purchase it without a medical card in a dispensary until the state issues licenses, expected sometime in 2023.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri?

The Missouri law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Autism
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s disease
• Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neuropathies
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (If diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist)
• Seizures
• Sickle cell anemia
• Tourette’s syndrome

You may also qualify if you have been diagnosed with:

• A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms.
• A chronic medical condition usually treated with a prescription medication that could potentially lead to physical or psychological dependence (when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication).
• Any terminal illness.
• Debilitating psychiatric disorders (if diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist).

A prescribing physician or healthcare provider is also allowed to use their professional judgment to approve medical cannabis use for a patient diagnosed with any other chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition.

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Missouri?

With Leafwell, you can get your Missouri Medical Marijuana Card in four simple steps:

1. Register online with Leafwell – It’s quick and easy! Your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. Leafwell has an experienced team ready to meet with you. This consultation fee is $125 for an examination.
2. Attend your online appointment and get approved – The process is quick, easy, and HIPAA-compliant. Most appointments take 15 minutes or less. Once approved, the physician will submit your details electronically to the state.
3. Complete the application via the Missouri DHSS website online – This must be done within 30 days of receiving your Certification. You will use your SSN to match your application with the submitted physician certificate. The department will either approve or deny the application within 30 days of receipt of the completed application.
4. Your medical marijuana card will be sent to you via email (electronic mail) once your application has been assessed and approved – Missouri electronic medical cannabis I.D. cards are usually sent within 2-3 days. Once you have your card, you can log into the Missouri Medical Marijuana Portal for more information at any time. Please note that the state issues you with an electronic medical marijuana card – Leafwell will not send you anything. We also offer renewal services for $125. If your MMJ Card is due to expire, get in touch with Leafwell at least 30 days before the expiration date and book your appointment to obtain your certificate.

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Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Missouri?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in Missouri, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in Missouri with an MMJ Card

For medical card holders = Six ounces every 30 days. More may be permitted based on the physician’s recommendation.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Missouri?

Medical cardholders or licensed caregivers can grow up to six flowering marijuana plants, six nonflowering marijuana plants (over 14 inches tall), and six clones (plants under 14 inches tall) at any given time in a single enclosed facility. Growers must have a valid medical marijuana certificate and a Patient Cultivation Card.

Does Missouri accept out-of-state cards?

Missouri does not have medical marijuana reciprocity, so it does not recognize or honor medical marijuana cards from other states. However, Missouri residency is no longer needed to apply for a medical card.

Will my Missouri card be accepted in other states?

A Missouri medical marijuana card is recognized by other states that have medical marijuana reciprocity allowances.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is acceptable) — just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also accountable to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing visiting patients to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in Missouri?

Amendment 3, passed by Missouri voters in November 2022, put employment protections in place for medical cardholders. According to the new law, employers cannot discriminate against employees who legally use cannabis products during off-duty hours away from the workplace. Employers may still test for cannabis, and employees cannot legally use medical marijuana at work. Employment protections don’t cover medical cardholders who use, or are impaired by, cannabis during their working hours.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Missouri?

Cannabis is tested in “lots” in Missouri. Cannabinoids like THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, and CBN must be tested for, as well as contaminants, pollutants, and chemical residue.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Missouri?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Missouri?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or any other such healthcare space is also unlawful. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet methods wherever possible.