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Missouri parents who are considering getting their medical marijuana card may have some questions about whether or not you can consume cannabis and still be a responsible parent. The short answer is yes. Of course you can. Cannabis is medicine, and when you feel better, it’s easier to take care of your responsibilities, such as parenting.
Medical marijuana helps with your overall well being. Patients with an array of conditions are improving their quality of life with the help of cannabis. Just as it is with many medicines, as long as you are consuming your medical marijuana in a responsible manner, it should have no negative impact on your ability to be an effective parent.
Irresponsible Cannabis Practices Could Get Parents in Trouble
The main thing to consider when using cannabis in a home that has children is making sure the kids can’t get ahold of your cannabis. We can’t stress how serious this is. If your medical marijuana is in a place where minors can access it, you may run the risk of losing custody.
This doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to have medical marijuana in your home. You just need to take proper steps to make sure that cannabis can’t be accessed by your child.
Another important factor when it comes to cannabis around your children is making sure you aren’t taking too high of a dose. It is important that you are never impaired when supervising your kids. Their safety is important and while marijuana is legal for you to use, you never want to get into a situation where their safety is at risk.
Know Your RIGHTS When it Comes to Parenting and Cannabis
Missouri laws concerning the rights of parents when it comes to medical marijuana are open to interpretation, which means the final say in custody battles is up to judges and representatives of Child Protective Services.
If you find yourself in a situation where medical marijuana calls into question your right to retain custody of your child, you could be in a difficult situation. There is some good news, however, thanks to a 2016 Missouri Court decision which indicated that cannabis use alone is not grounds for the loss of parental rights or home removal.
This decision came before medical marijuana was legalized in the state, which means that the state’s view on marijuana use has likely veered further on the side of cannabis patients. That being said, it is still important to make sure you are making responsible decisions regarding how you consume and store your cannabis if there are children in the home.
Know Your Dosage
It is important to make sure your marijuana consumption does not affect your ability to properly supervise your children. Everyone reacts to cannabis differently, so it is important to know your dose and err on the side of consuming less if you are going to be around your kids.
Some sources recommend that you cease using medical marijuana several hours before you are supposed to take care of your children. For those with severe symptoms, this may seem impossible, and in the cases of some individuals, the condition they are treating with marijuana may actually make it MORE DIFFICULT to supervise their children WITHOUT using cannabis.
Our advice is to know your dosage and how cannabis products will affect you before using them, especially at any time where you are responsible for caring for your children. If a particular strain or dosage makes you feel confused, tired, or impaired, do not use that product or dosage around children.
Keep Your Medical Marijuana in a Safe, Secure Space
Keep your marijuana locked-up in a place where your children don’t have access. Additionally, label Your cannabis containers so they don’t accidentally end up somewhere they aren’t supposed to be. This way, if you are in the middle of a situation where custody comes into question, you’ll be able to pass a home inspection.
This isn’t just for flower product. Marijuana in edible form is particularly potent, and edibles are one of the most common products known to lead to marijuana poisoning in children. Be smart and safe by keeping all your cannabis products and paraphernalia locked up and secure.
NEVER Drive if You Are Impaired
Getting a DUI is a surefire way to have your parenting abilities called into question. Just to be safe, you may want to consider a pre-paid marijuana DUI defense plan. For the safety of yourself and your children, you should never drive impaired, especially while transporting your children. But, even if your kids aren’t with you, driving while impaired could land you in jail, and that is not something a family court would look kindly upon.
Do Not Smoke Around Your Children
Smoking marijuana, especially inside, is something you should always avoid if children are present. Secondhand smoke is dangerous for anyone, especially young ones with developing lungs. Have a dedicated room to smoke in, and do so without the children present.
Do Not Send Children to School Smelling Like Marijuana
One of the easiest ways to have your parenting called into question is sending your kids to school reeking of cannabis. This shouldn’t be an issue if you aren’t smoking around them and are keeping your marijuana stored in a space they can’t access it. But, even if you are taking those precautions, smell their clothes and bags before they leave the house, just in case.
Make Responsible Choices
Yes - marijuana is medicine. It is safe and legal when used responsibly, and you shouldn’t have to feel any shame for getting relief. Just make sure you are using it safely. By using cannabis in a responsible manner, you’ll feel better and will be able to enjoy your time with your children that much more.
Seek the Advice of an Attorney if You May Be Facing Legal Challenges
If you do discover you are facing legal issues due to your marijuana use, seek legal counsel right away. Missouri medical marijuana patients have rights, and if your parental status is challenged as a result of your cannabis use, don’t delay. Immediately seek out an attorney who specializes in Missouri marijuana laws.
Ready for Natural Relief?
Are you ready to join over 140,000 Missourians and see if cannabis can improve your quality of life? If you are, all you need is a Missouri medical marijuana card. If you don’t have your card yet, we can help you with that. Our doctors are standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor 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!
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