Missouri Medical Marijuana Card

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Missouri?

Yes, medical marijuana is legal in Missouri. In November 2018, by ballot initiative, a 66% vote count by Missouri voters approved Constitution Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana. Consequently, Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution legalized the medical use of marijuana. In October 2020, the first licensed sales started. However, a licensed patient may not use marijuana for medical purposes in a public setting. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) manages the medical marijuana program in the state.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri in 2024

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Missouri

Qualifying medical conditions approved for medical marijuana therapy in 2024 in the state include:

• Glaucoma
• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• HIV or AIDS
• A chronic medical condition characterized by severe, persistent pain or muscle spasms
• Parkinson’s disease
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Terminal illness
• Wasting syndrome
• Alzheimer's disease
• Hepatitis C
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Huntington's disease
• Crohn's disease

Can I Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Missouri Online?

Yes. Application for a Missouri medical marijuana card can be made online using the state's medical marijuana portal. However, before initiating an application, the qualifying patient must obtain certification from a licensed Missouri healthcare professional, which may be done via a telemedicine appointment.

How Do I Register With The Missouri Medical Marijuana Program?

Registration in the Missouri Medical Marijuana Program is done through the online registry system provided by the state's Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). A qualifying patient must create an account in the online registry system after obtaining a licensed medical practitioner's certification through an electronic form. Afterward, they can register as a patient in the Missouri Medical Marijuana Program.

Do I Need To Be A Missouri Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

No. Missouri residency is no longer a requirement to get a medical marijuana card in the state.

What Is The Cost Of A Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?

A medical marijuana registry card for a patient or caregiver in Missouri costs $27.76 for a new application. The card must be renewed annually at the same cost. The cost for a patient cultivator is $110.99. At the time of application, all license fees must be paid through the Medical Marijuana Registry Portal.

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Missouri?

Registered patients or caregivers may purchase medical marijuana from Missouri licensed dispensaries at the presentation of their Missouri medical marijuana ID cards. Patients awaiting their medical marijuana identification cards may also buy medical marijuana with their physician certifications.

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana In Missouri?

Individuals applying for medical marijuana cards will need to see a Missouri licensed physician who is in active service and has a good standing to practice medicine or osteopathy. The physician must complete and sign the physician certification form confirming that the applicant qualifies for medical marijuana treatment.

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Missouri?

Yes, minors can get medical marijuana cards in Missouri with the consent of their parents or legal guardians. Applicants under the age of 18 years must submit Parents/Legal Guardian Consent forms signed by their parents or legal guardians for them to be eligible for medical marijuana cards in Missouri.

Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card At 18 In Missouri?

Yes. In Missouri, participants of the medical marijuana program can register as adults when they turn 18 and get new medical marijuana cards. Minors turning 18 no longer need the consent of their parents or legal guardians nor need to provide adult caregivers on their applications.

How To Renew Your Missouri Medical Marijuana Card

Applications for renewals of patients', caregivers', and patient cultivators’ Missouri medical marijuana cards must be made yearly. Patients and caregivers may apply for renewal on the Missouri Medical Marijuana Registry portal between 60 and 30 days before the expiration of existing cards. Patients must submit new electronic physician certification forms that are no more than 30 days before the renewal application submissions. On the other hand, caregivers must submit Patient Authorization Forms designating them as caregivers. All other documents required for new applications must also be submitted, including payment of applicable fees.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Missouri?

Yes, a qualifying patient or their caregiver (both cannot apply) may apply for a patient cultivating license to grow marijuana plants for the exclusive use of the qualifying patient at an additional fee. Licensed patients with cultivation authorization or licensed caregivers with cultivation authorization on their behalf may cultivate up to:

• six clone plants (under 14 inches tall) in an enclosed, locked facility
• six non-flowering marijuana plants (over 14 inches tall)
• six flowering marijuana plants

They must adhere to the following regulations for cultivating marijuana:

• Cultivation by qualifying patients should take place in a secure and enclosed environment with security devices that allow only the qualifying patient or such patient's primary caregiver access
• Two qualifying patients who both hold valid qualifying patient cultivating identification cards can share one enclosed, locked facility and may not cultivate more than 12 non-flowering marijuana plants, 12 clones, and 12 flowering marijuana plants in that facility
• The cultivator’s name must be written on all cultivated flowering marijuana plants in their possession

Missouri: Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In A Recreational Marijuana-Legal State

A Missouri medical marijuana card can allow the cardholder to purchase and possess more cannabis than recreational marijuana users. For instance, a patient ID cardholder may be certified for more than 6 ounces of cannabis if their doctor determines that their condition requires a higher amount. Also, a Missouri medical marijuana card allows a qualifying patient to save big on taxes. Medical marijuana purchases come with a 4% tax rate, while recreational weed purchases are taxed at 6% plus any local taxes in the state. Furthermore, with a medical marijuana card, any individual under 21 years in Missouri can legally access cannabis, provided they qualify and are certified for cannabis treatment.

Does Missouri Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

Yes, Missouri allows medical marijuana patients to designate up to two caregivers. A caregiver must be 21 years or older and has accepted to be responsible for the care of a medical marijuana patient. Patients may authorize their caregivers to purchase and possess marijuana on their behalf and also cultivate medical marijuana plants for them. Caregivers are not allowed to have more than three patients.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Missouri has no medical cannabis reciprocity with other states' medical marijuana programs. Out-of-state cannabis patients can possess medical marijuana in Missouri but cannot purchase it.

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

Medical records of registered medical cannabis patients are expected to be private in Missouri, as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, in certain circumstances, patients' medical marijuana records may be disclosed, especially when the need for disclosure is a matter of public interest. According to the HIPAA Privacy Rules, employers and law enforcement can request medical cannabis records. In most cases, employers will need them for information related to employees' illnesses, while law enforcement agencies can request them whenever required by law, for instance, by court orders.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Missouri?

No. Registered cannabis patients’ expenses for medical marijuana treatments are not covered by health insurance.

What Is The Medical Card Limit In Missouri?

Cannabis patients with Missouri medical marijuana cards can purchase up to 6 ounces of medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within a 30-day period.

Can You Go To A Dispensary Without A Medical Card In Missouri?

No. Missouri medical marijuana laws require registered cannabis patients to present their medical marijuana cards to be able to purchase medical marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries.