Can You Possess Medical Marijuana in Missouri?
Yes, if you have your qualifying patient identification card. You are also able to possess medical marijuana if you have not yet received your card in the mail, but have your receipt for your identification card.
Can I Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri?
Almost certainly. It’s relatively easy to figure out if you qualify for a medical marijuana card.
Missouri’s regulating authority, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), has issued nearly 50,000 medical marijuana patient cards since last June. Missourians are fortunate that the Show-Me-State has one of the most open and accessible medical marijuana programs in the country. The list of qualifying conditions is extensive, and the steps to applying for and receiving your patient card are quite simple.
Chances are that you qualify as a medical marijuana patient, caregiver, or home cultivator and can readily obtain your patient certification and medical marijuana card in just a few steps.
What is Required to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient?
To qualify as a medical marijuana patient, you must be a Missouri resident and must also be diagnosed with at least one qualifying medical condition.
Is There an Age Restriction for Medical Marijuana Patients?
Yes and no.
Patients must be 18 years of age or older to apply directly for their patient card. However, if a prospective patient is under the age of 18, they may have up to two primary caregivers (21 years or older) submit a Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form as well as a Patient Authorization Form. Caregivers for unemancipated patients under the age of 18 must possess and administer that patient’s supply of medical marijuana.
What is a Qualifying Medical Condition in Missouri?
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Autism
- Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intractable migraines
- Neuropathies
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other debilitating psychiatric disorders
- Sickle cell disease
- Terminal illness
- Any chronic condition treated with a medication that could lead to dependence
- Chronic conditions causing severe, persistent pain, or muscle spasms including:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Seizures
- Tourette’s syndrome
How Much Medical Marijuana Am I Allowed?
With a Standard Physician Certification, patients are allowed to purchase and possess 4 ounces of medical marijuana each month. Patients whose conditions require a higher amount of cannabis are able to submit two Alternative Physician Certification Forms, which would allow them to purchase and possess up to 8 ounces of medical marijuana monthly. It is a requirement that each of these two alternative forms must be completed by two separate physicians with the same qualifying medical conditions listed.
Steps to Getting a Medical Marijuana Patient Card in Missouri
The goal of Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Program is to create as much access to patient medicine as possible. The following steps are required to become a medical marijuana patient or caregiver in Missouri:
- CERTIFICATION – You must visit a Missouri-licensed physician, who is active and in good standing to practice medicine(MD) or osteopathy (DO) and must receive a certification that you have a qualifying medical condition (Physician certification form)
- REGISTRATION – You must create an account and submit a patient application, along with your physician certification form, on the online portal linked here.
- PAY PATIENT FEE – Pay proper fees to DHSS through online portal and wait up to 30 days to receive your medical marijuana card in the mail.
What are the Fees?
Patient and caregiver licenses are valid for one year upon completion of online payment and can be renewed annually.
Patient Fee – $25
Caregiver Fee – $25
Patient Cultivator Fee – $100
Please note that application and license fees will increase or decrease each year by the percentage of the increase or decrease from the end of the previous calendar year of the Consumer Price Index, or successor index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, or its successor agency.
How Does a Doctor’s Evaluation Work?
Missouri offers potential patients two routes to obtaining a physician certification of a qualifying condition. Prospective patients may visit a doctor in person or they may schedule and attend an online certification appointment to meet with their physician via webcam. For those who have difficulty physically accessing the doctor’s office, the online option may be a convenient and speedier route. The degree of medical history and documentation you provide your physician with will be up to their discretion.
What is My Next Step to Get My Medical Marijuana Card?
If you believe you will qualify as a medical marijuana patient, you should research the certifying physicians in your area and schedule your appointment.
Here are some recommended certifying physicians:
Roark Family Health (in-person or online / $100 cost )
MoCannaMD (In-person / $100 cost)
Additional Information
For more detailed information on Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Program, visit the following online resources.
Medical Marijuana Program Regulations (See Definitions & Patient/Caregiver Rules)
