Missouri Medical Marijuana

Updated on February 27, 2019.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

Missouri Medical Marijuana Program

Note: on Nov 6, 2018 Missouri approved a medical marijuana program – as details evolve, we will be updating the information below. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Licensing & Regulations – Medical Marijuana
912 Wildwood
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: (573) 751-6400
E-Mail: MedicalMarijuanaInfo@health.mo.gov
Website: https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/index.php

To Obtain Medical Marijuana in Missouri:

1. Must be 18 years or older and a legal resident of Missouri. If you require a Primary Caregiver that person must be at least 21 years of age and must be designated on your application for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card.
2. Must be evaluated in-person by a state-licensed physician (Not a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant).
3. Must be diagnosed with a Qualifying Condition and obtain a physician certification.
4. Apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card from Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. Application Fees are $25 (approved payment methods are to be determined). Applications for Identification Cards will start being accepted July 4, 2019.
5. Once application is approved and you receive your Medical Marijuana I.D. Card and can purchase Medical Marijuana from a state licensed Dispensary. Applications will be approved or denied within 30 days.

Please Note:

• The application for Identification Cards for Patients is still being developed. Applications will begin being accepted July 4, 2019.
• Dispensaries will be able to submit an Application Form for a license to operate on August 3,2019, however you can submit the Application Fee of $6,000 with a $10,000 Annual fee beginning January 5, 2019.

Patients suffering from epilepsy are eligible to use cannabidiol (CBD) oil and that the oil must be derived from hemp, and not marijuana. Hemp lacks many of the medicinal qualities marijuana, and many advocates believe it is nowhere near as effective as a medicine.

For More Information Please Visit the FAQ page of the Medical Marijuana section of Missouri’s Department of Health website at https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/faqs.php

Recent Legislation Changes

As legislation changes in Missouri, check back to this section for information about how those legislative changes will affect the prospect of medical marijuana in Missouri.

Efforts to Expand the Missouri Medical Marijuana Program Fall Short

In 2016, efforts were made to bring the matter of creating a real program for medical marijuana in Missouri, but the Secretary of State ruled that there were not enough valid signatures to put the initiative on the ballot. As a result, voters in the state were denied the right to choose whether or not they wanted to expand medical cannabis availability in the state.

The Secretary originally ruled that the initiative was 2,200 signatures short. After sponsors of the initiative took the matter to court, it was decided that the initiative still fell 23 signatures short.

Fear of Medical Marijuana Pervasive

A St. Louis television station reported in February 2017 that doctors throughout the state aren’t even willing to discuss the topic of medical cannabis, much less recommend it to their patients. Even though CBD hemp oil is legal in Missouri, many families say their doctors refuse to honor it. According to the article, fewer than 70 families have even bothered to obtain the medical cards needed in order to purchase CBD oil. The reason is that many hospitals and doctors simply refuse to provide them access, due to fears of legal entanglements.

However, the station reported that SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis has administrators and doctors who are willing to work with patients to make hemp CBD oil accessible. One doctor was quoted in the story as saying while there may be “some negatives and serious side effects” to using CBD oil, the hospital feels it is in the best interests of patients to make reasonable, safe efforts to provide them with the product.

Another limiting factor regarding the Missouri medical marijuana program is that the process to simply qualify is very burdensome. Patients must have first tried three traditional prescriptions for their epilepsy and not found any success.

Legislative Action Provides Hope to Advocates

While the medical marijuana program in Missouri is a source of major frustration and anger to many people, some state legislators are still working to bring the therapeutic benefits of cannabis to seriously ill people. Two legislators introduced a bill during the 2017 session that would give patients suffering from a wide range of illnesses (cancer, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Huntington’s disease and many others) access to cannabis-infused products.

SB 56 would allow the Department of Health and Senior Services to grant licenses for manufacturing, distribution, sale, and cultivation of medical marijuana. SB 153 outlines conditions that could be treated using medical marijuana.

Decriminalization

Even though the Missouri medical marijuana program is among the most restrictive in the entire country, the state has at least made some common-sense movement toward decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot.

In 2017, a new law went into effect that makes possession of fewer than 35 grams of pot punishable by a fine of between $250 and $1,000. While that’s still substantial, the penalty does not include any jail time. However, if anyone is caught with more than 35 grams (an amount equivalent to just about 1.25 ounces), that’s considered a felony offense that is punishable by as many as seven years in jail and a fine of as much as $5,000.

Our section on Missouri’s marijuana laws provides comprehensive information on the penalties associated with weed possession.