About Cannabis in Missouri
In recent Missouri cannabis news, Senate Bill 189 establishes expungement clinics to assist those in need with the process of seeking expungement for applicable criminal charges and convictions involving cannabis.
It’s been five years since Missourians voted to pass Amendment 2, authorizing the creation of a comprehensive medical cannabis program.
Under this program, medical marijuana patients can purchase up to 4 oz of medical cannabis every 30 days. A higher amount may be purchased if the qualified patient shows medical necessity.
Since 2018, Missouri’s cannabis industry has grown—for both medical and recreational use.
Missouri is one of the most recent states to have legalized adult-use cannabis. Though the program was established in August 2022, Show-Me State dispensaries began selling recreational marijuana in February 2023.
Qualifying Conditions for Cannabis Patients in Missouri
Missouri began its medical marijuana program in 2018 with a lengthy list of qualifying conditions, unlike some states that start with a short list and add more conditions as time goes on. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), qualifying medical conditions include:
- A terminal illness
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment
- A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with:
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to:
- A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with prescription medications that could 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.
- In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition, including, but not limited to:
Missouri Medical Marijuana Program Requirements and Cost
Along with having a qualifying condition, applicants must provide proof of residency in Missouri with a valid state driver’s license or ID card. In addition to Veriheal’s consultation fee of $199, new patients must also complete the Missouri medical marijuana card application, which costs $25.94. This registration must be renewed annually to stay valid in the statewide registry. Recommendations on medical marijuana doses must also be renewed annually.
Registering a Primary Caregiver in Missouri
To be a caregiver for a Missouri resident, both the caregiver and medical patient must be able to provide proof of residency with a valid driver’s license or ID card. The caregiver also needs to be added to the patient’s medical cannabis certification application as the listed primary caregiver in order to be authorized to purchase and possess medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf. The cost of a caregiver application is $25.94.
A patient may have up to two registered caregivers who are 21 or older and are residents of the state of Missouri. Caregivers are allowed to assist three patients at a time. Only legal guardians or parents may serve as a minor’s caregiver.
Either a patient or a caregiver (not both) may include an application for patient cultivation unless the patient is a minor. If they are, they cannot apply for cultivation. If patient cultivation is desired, it must be included in your initial application for a medical marijuana license.
Possession and Cultivation of Medical Marijuana in Missouri
To be a caregiver for a Missouri resident, both the caregiver and medical patient must be able to provide proof of residency with a valid driver’s license or ID card. The caregiver also needs to be added to the patient’s medical cannabis certification application as the listed primary caregiver in order to be authorized to purchase and possess medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf. The cost of a caregiver application is $25.94.
A patient may have up to two registered caregivers who are 21 or older and are residents of the state of Missouri. Caregivers are allowed to assist three patients at a time. Only legal guardians or parents may serve as a minor’s caregiver.
Either a patient or a caregiver (not both) may include an application for patient cultivation unless the patient is a minor. If they are, they cannot apply for cultivation. If patient cultivation is desired, it must be included in your initial application for a medical marijuana license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all applicants must provide a Missouri state-issued driver’s license or identification card to prove their place of residence. Otherwise, they are not eligible for a medical cannabis card.
The first and most important step is to schedule a physician appointment with Veriheal. You will need to upload your medical records. After the appointment and if you are approved, the physician will recommend certification for medical marijuana treatment.
The initial consultation with a licensed physician usually takes 10-15 minutes. It takes the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) 30 days to review the license application. Then, you can print your card from the application portal.
If you’re not initially approved for a medical card, you may submit corrections within 10 days on the application portal. That being said, Veriheal has helped many patients in Missouri and has a very high approval rate for medical cannabis licensure; however, if you are not approved, you will be refunded in full.
Missouri began its medical marijuana program in 2018 with a lengthy list of qualifying conditions, unlike some states that start with a short list and add more conditions as time goes on. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), qualifying medical conditions include:
- A terminal illness
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment
- A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with:
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to:
- A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with prescription medications that could 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.
- In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition, including, but not limited to:
You may only legally purchase medical marijuana from a state-licensed facility. If you are a patient cultivator, you may also be able to purchase cannabis plant seeds from a licensed Seed to Sale Provider.
The Missouri constitution does not reference or prohibit firearms for people who are legally consuming cannabis, though it may be in violation of federal laws.
If you are a licensed medical cannabis patient cultivator, you may cultivate six plants in a secure and locked location that only you have access to.
Yes. Previous convictions do not disqualify you from the program. It is important to note that the state can revoke your license in the instances of certain types of criminal conduct.
Medical cannabis patients in Missouri can find a wide variety of products at dispensaries in Missouri. Products include dry cannabis flower, edibles, vaporizers, pre-rolls, concentrates and extracts, tinctures, and topicals.
Yes, the process for renewing your card with Veriheal is simple in Missouri. Every three years, Veriheal will get in touch with you when your certification is approaching its expiration to help you set up a renewal consultation.