Medical Marijuana Laws and Medicinal Weed Use
If you are interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card, you must first learn about the laws and regulations surrounding the use of the plant in Missouri. The state department of health and senior services oversees the program and handles applications. In order to obtain a license, you must visit a Missouri licensed physician who is active. You must then fill out and submit a physician certification form and register for an identification card. Once you have completed all of the required steps, you should expect the Department of Health and Senior Services to approve your application within 30 days.
Missouri Marijuana Laws
In the past year, Missouri has become a hotbed of debate regarding reform of its marijuana laws. Thousands of entrepreneurs have applied for commercial licenses and have faced rejection. The New Approach Missouri campaign garnered 66% of the votes needed to put medical marijuana on the state’s ballot. In the past year, over 85% of the medical marijuana commercial license applications were denied, and many of them lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to consulting firms and state government.
The state’s medical marijuana laws allow qualifying patients to grow up to six plants in a locked facility. They are allowed to cultivate both flowering and nonflowering marijuana plants, and they must grow them in a separate location. They must be at least 18 years old and be living with a primary caregiver. The person must have a Missouri ID card. The certification is typically written as a note.
Missouri Dispensary Information
Medical marijuana in Missouri is legal for those who meet certain criteria. The state has passed Amendment 2 that allows qualified patients to cultivate six plants and purchase them from licensed dispensaries. The measure also gives licensed physicians the power to recommend cannabis medicines for qualifying patients. Until Amendment 2, Missouri has zero tolerance for marijuana use or possession. However, in recent months, the state’s dispensary license application process has loosened considerably.
For children in Missouri, caregivers can grow cannabis for them at home. The medical marijuana law states that the patient must be under the age of 18. The condition must be a severe one, including recurring seizures, a health condition that negatively affects quality of life, or cancer. If the child is not yet 18 years old, their caregivers can apply on their behalf and obtain a medical marijuana card for them. The caregiver must ensure that the grow is hidden from children and only accessible to the patient. The Missouri medical marijuana cardholder will have a four-oz. monthly allotment.
How to Get a Medicinal Marijuana Card in Missouri
The first step in getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri is to register with the Missouri DOH. The state has a patient registry that makes submitting paperwork and information easy. After registering, the state mails the card to the patient. After receiving approval, patients can purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries in the state. Applying for a Missouri medical marijuana card requires proof of residency. A valid driver’s license, current motor vehicle registration, and a recent utility bill can all serve as proof of residence. Having a chronic illness that is not treatable by traditional prescription medications can make medical marijuana an excellent alternative.
The process begins with submitting your application. The state has 30 days to review the application and approve it. If you receive an email asking for corrections, you must reply within 10 days. Otherwise, the application will be rejected. Once approved, you’ll receive an email containing your patient ID. Print the ID and take it with you to the dispensary for use. It’s that easy!
Missouri Marijuana Laws and Penalties
If you’re caught with marijuana, you’ll be facing several different penalties depending on how much of the drug you possess. If you possess a small amount, a misdemeanor charge could be levied against you. However, if you have a larger amount, you could be facing a felony charge that could land you in jail for one to seven years and more than ten thousand dollars in fines.
While marijuana is still illegal in Missouri, there are several other crimes that can carry heavy punishments. For instance, cultivating cannabis without a license can land you in jail for up to four years and have a $10,000 fine. Even if you have a medical marijuana card, you cannot grow or sell marijuana. Marijuana in any form is still illegal for non-patients. However, Missouri has decriminalized marijuana to some extent. It is now legal to possess up to four ounces of marijuana for personal use.
MO Marijuana Summary
The state of Missouri has legalized the use of medical marijuana for a variety of ailments. For instance, a doctor can give a patient a medical marijuana card for certain conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, severe muscle spasms, Crohn’s disease, or glaucoma. Patients can grow up to seven marijuana plants. Of those, only three can be mature.
In the meantime, the Legislature has taken steps to reduce the penalties for simple possession of cannabis. Under Amendment 2, simple possession of marijuana is punishable by a fine of $25. This move has allowed Missouri to pass its first state-level medical marijuana law, Amendment 2. In November of last year, Missourians for a New Approach, a group that advocates legalized medical marijuana, submit petition language and start a signature-gathering campaign.
