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The legal landscape regarding marijuana in Missouri is constantly evolving. Legislation passed in 2018, making medical marijuana legal for state card holders. In 2021, the Missouri economy was boosted by more than two hundred million dollars in cannabis revenue, making many predict that recreational use may be passed in the near future.
As the state legal landscape surrounding marijuana continues to change, it is important for cannabis patients to pay attention to the ever-changing statutes that govern what is legal and what can get you into trouble when it comes to cannabis.
Here are some of the most recent legal changes being proposed and some general information to know for Missouri marijuana patients:
You need a Missouri medical card to purchase, possess, or consume cannabis.
The bottom line is that if you are a Missouri resident, you need a state medical card in order to get the relief that marijuana provides. In order to legally purchase cannabis, consume THC products, or simply have marijuana on your person, you’ll need to have your medical marijuana card.
Luckily, we’re here to help you with that. Our team specializes in taking patients through a fast and simple evaluation to determine if you qualify for a medical card. Schedule an appointment online with one of our marijuana specialists by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
The smell of marijuana may be enough for a police officer to search your vehicle - but not for long!
At the moment, if you are pulled over by a police officer and they catch a whiff of marijuana, it may be enough for them to search your vehicle - even if you have your medical card and your cannabis is out of reach of the vehicle’s driver.
The good news is that legislation is being proposed that will prevent an officer from conducting searches based solely on the smell of marijuana. The proposed change states “the odor of marijuana alone shall not provide a law enforcement officer with probable cause to conduct a warrantless search of a motor vehicle, home, or other private property.”
The reason for the proposed law change is sound. Marijuana is medicine, and is legal in Missouri. Having legal medicine is not evidence of a crime, and should not give the police reasonable cause to search a vehicle without a warrant. When the Missouri State legislature convenes on January 5th, the proposed changes will be considered and, hopefully, enacted.
You can grow your own plants - but NOT without a cultivation permit.
In Missouri, you can absolutely get high off of your own supply. Home growing is perfectly legal for medical card holders who have a cultivation permit. If cultivation authorization is not added to your card, you can’t legally grow your own cannabis plants.
Even with a cultivation permit, the law has specifications that you need to follow. For example, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, if you have a Missouri cultivation card, you are allowed to grow up to six flowering plants (this term refers to the buds that contain THC). You can also have six non-flowering plants and six cloned plants grown from clippings, for a total of eighteen plants.
Be smart about where you smoke.
Having a medical card isn’t necessarily a license to smoke anywhere. State and federal laws regulate where you are allowed to smoke marijuana. You aren’t allowed to smoke in most public places, so be discreet, or get your relief via other means, such as edibles or tinctures, and always avoid smoking on federal property.
A medical card isn’t a license to buy weed on the street.
Just because medical marijuana is legal and you have your state medical card, that doesn’t mean you have free reign to purchase marijuana from just anywhere. Your medical card allows you to purchase from a licensed dispensary or to grow your own (with a cultivation permit).
Real talk - this is a good thing. There are a lot of reasons why purchasing through a regulated dispensary is safer and smarter than purchasing from the illicit market. Cannabis is regulated so that you get relief from a product that meets the state’s safety and quality standards. This means you get a better product AND you won’t have to worry about getting into legal trouble. It’s a no-brainer.
Be smart when traveling to other states with marijuana.
Traveling with medical cannabis inside the state of Missouri is perfectly safe and legal (as long as you aren’t operating a car, plane, or motorcycle while impaired). But things get more complicated if you cross state lines. If you are traveling outside of Missouri, it is important to know the dos and don’ts of traveling with cannabis. We recently put together this handy guide to help you know the risks associated with traveling outside the state with marijuana.
Always have your marijuana card with you.
If you have marijuana on your person in Missouri, as long as it is within the 4 ounces allowed by state law, you are within your legal rights, regardless of where the cannabis was procured from. But, you need to have your card on you. If you don’t, it can lead to legal trouble. Save yourself the hassle and make sure to never leave home without your marijuana card if you are going to have cannabis on your person. If you do get into trouble, know your rights about cannabis possession, and contact a legal professional. Marijuana is medicine, and you should not be stigmatized for seeking relief.
Get medical marijuana the safe and legal way.
Medical marijuana is legal for Missouri residents with a valid medical card, and with the product being strictly regulated, it’s safer than cannabis purchased on the black market.
Our marijuana doctors are ready to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify for your medical card. Schedule an appointment with a cannabis professional online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri