What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri (2024)

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Missouri?

Over 16 chronic or debilitating medical conditions qualify patients for medical cannabis treatment in Missouri. In addition to specifically named diseases, Missouri also includes broadly defined conditions and allows certifying physicians to decide which unnamed conditions are debilitating enough to qualify for medical cannabis use in the state.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Missouri 2024

Missouri recognizes the following qualifying medical conditions as requirements for its medical marijuana ID card:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Intractable migraines that are unresponsive to other treatments
• Debilitating psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress order (PTSD), diagnosed by state-licensed psychiatrists
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Autism
• Neuropathies
• Sickle cell anemia
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia
• Wasting syndrome
• Any chronic medical condition causing severe, persistent pain or muscle spasms such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome
• Any chronic medical condition treated with prescription medications that may lead to physical or psychological dependence, if a physician determines that medical marijuana could be a safer, effective alternative
• Any chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition, such as hepatitis C, that can benefit from medical cannabis use in the professional opinion of a physician
• Any terminal illness

Does Missouri Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

No. The Missouri medical cannabis law makes no provision for expanding the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. This is because the list includes broad definitions of chronic and debilitating conditions that automatically make such conditions qualifying even if unnamed. Furthermore, Missouri gives eligible recommending medical providers the discretion to rule such conditions as debilitating enough for medical marijuana treatment.

Does Missouri Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

It is possible for a certifying physician to recommend medical cannabis for a patient diagnosed with a medical condition not named in the Missouri list of qualifying conditions. The state relies on the professional opinions of medical providers to recommend medical marijuana treatment for chronic and debilitating conditions they believe would benefit from medical cannabis use.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Missouri?

Yes. Obtaining a medical cannabis certification is a requirement for joining the Missouri medical marijuana program. This certification must confirm a patient’s diagnosis and recommend them for medical cannabis. Missouri only accepts medical certifications for cannabis from state-licensed physicians (MDs and DOs) and nurse practitioners with active practices and in good standing with their professional boards. Patients must complete their applications for Missouri medical cannabis cards no longer than 30 days from the dates their certifications were issued.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri?

Missouri no longer requires applicants for its medical marijuana card to be residents of the state. It also issues this card to both adults and minors applying to join its medical cannabis program. The only requirement for application, besides the application fee, is a physician or nurse practitioner certification.