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Show-Me Some Relief - Medical Marijuana is Going Big in 2021!
The challenges to creating a new legal medical marijuana industry in Missouri are giving way to a robust market full of opportunities for patients to find the relief they need without worry.
It’s been a long road getting here, with the last couple of years consisting mostly of ironing out the kinks. But new dispensaries are now opening up across the state, patients are rapidly getting approved for medical marijuana in Missouri, products of all kinds are making their way to a shop near you, and you can even opt for you or a caregiver to grow your own!
Smaller towns like Carthage and Lebanon are getting in on the action, too, making it easier than ever to find relief for chronic pain, epilepsy, symptoms associated with cancer, PTSD, and more.
Let’s take a look at what legalized medical marijuana means for the citizens of Missouri, how the new legislation happened, how things are progressing, and what to look forward to in the months and years ahead.
Missouri Medical Marijuana - More Than 25 Years in the Making
Did you know that Missouri was one of the first states to throw its hat into the ring for medical marijuana?
The state tried to legalize medical marijuana in 1994, before California was the first to succeed at making it official in 1996.
Missouri’s measure failed because there was no real way of enforcing the laws governing a market that did not yet exist—and the resources were just not there to create it from scratch with no precedent.
Ten years later in 2014, Missouri moved toward decriminalization of marijuana. It took away the threat of jail for first-time offenders possessing under 10 grams. Additionally, the state allowed people suffering from severe epileptic diseases access to low or no-THC CBD.
This was the first stride toward the leaps that have recently been made forward in medical marijuana.
Amendment 2 changed everything. On November 6th, 2018, voters in Missouri decided that it was finally time to amend the state constitution, allowing lawmakers to create a regulated, taxed medical marijuana program. The final law ultimately benefits both people suffering from conditions that qualify for treatment using medical marijuana, and the public at large.
It has given patients new therapeutic options, created jobs for people working in all sectors of the industry, and generated tax revenue that benefits the veterans of the state.
What Does Legal Medical Marijuana Mean for the Citizens of Missouri?
Now, people suffering from a number of ailments, symptoms, diseases, and disorders can find effective, natural relief without worry of breaking the law.
If you are uncertain of whether or not you qualify, check out our list of conditions that can be legally treated with medical marijuana. The team at Missouri Marijuana Card is standing by, ready to answer all your questions and help you make informed decisions about your next step.
Once you get your Missouri Marijuana card, you can visit any dispensary in the state to find products that will help improve your quality of life, relieve your pain, and give you the support you need to relax.
If you are more of a DIY kind of person, you can try your hand at growing or find a registered caregiver to grow medical marijuana for you.
Medical Marijuana Purchase, Growing and Possession Limits
How Much Medical Marijuana Can You Purchase and Consume in Missouri?
According to Missouri Amendment 2, you can purchase and consume up to four ounces of medical marijuana in any 30-day period as a patient with a Missouri Marijuana Card. That’s approximately 48 ounces of flower a year. These regulations vary a bit for edibles and other products that are made from distillate.
How Much Medical Marijuana Can You Possess at Once?
Patients can possess up to a 60-day supply at any given time. That means you can have up to eight ounces of medical marijuana flower at once. Again, the weight differs for edibles and other products made from distillate. However, your local dispensary will help you figure out what you can have with you at any given time.
How Many Marijuana Plants Can I Grow in Missouri?
If you decide that you would like to grow your own medical marijuana, you can grow up to 18 plants at once. The catch is that you can only have six in each stage of growth. In other words, you can have 6 flowering plants, 6 non flowering plants, and 6 clones all at once. Registered caregivers have different regulations, which we will address below.
What if I Need Help Accessing My Medical Marijuana?
If you have trouble getting to a dispensary or growing your own medical marijuana, Missouri allows you to have two registered caregivers. Caregivers are authorized to pick up your medical marijuana order from dispensaries, and they can grow your plants as well.
How Many Plants Can Caregivers Grow?
Registered caregivers can have up to three patients. This means that they can grow 18 flowering plants, 18 non flowering plants, and 18 clones all at the same time. There are some nuances for growing in the same space as another caregiver or another patient, and also some specific rules for caregivers who are also patients. Those can be found at the Department of Health and Senior Services website.
How Much is the Tax on My Medical Marijuana Purchase?
There is a 4% sales tax in all dispensary purchases, and the tax is also collected on business and patient registration fees as well as business licensing fees.
Where Does the Money Collected as Sales Tax Go?
Very few people appreciate paying taxes, but you can be rest-assured that the money you spend on sales tax in Missouri for your medical marijuna goes to an excellent cause. The state sends its revenue from medical marijuana sales to support US Veterans’ health, employment, and housing services.
Getting Better and All the Time
One of the best things about Missouri’s medical marijuana law is that it is a state constitutional amendment. This means that it is incredibly difficult to overturn. Patients do not have to worry about getting their rights for the treatment that works for them taken away.
As of February 1st of this year, the DHSS reports 192 dispensary licenses and 59 cultivation licenses in the state of Missouri. The operational approval for dispensaries, testing labs, and cultivators has been slow to start, and Missouri is seeing a far greater number of patients registering than originally expected.
However, the ball is rolling and it isn’t going to stop any time soon. The state has 35 dispensaries and 15 growers officially approved for operation, with the remaining licensed businesses ready for final approval.
You can currently get medical marijuana flower and pre-rolls; and a battle over edibles was quickly won. Gummies and THC-infused beverages are sold at many dispensaries.
New products are hitting the shelves at a rapid pace, more growers means better supply, and local access is going to increase to meet the demand.
Ready to Get Your Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?
If you or someone you know has been on the fence about whether to get their medical marijuana card in Missouri, there is no time like the present to register with the state. Registering as a medical marijuana patient has never been easier, and it helps Missouri understand the needs of its citizens.
Several conditions qualify or fit into a qualifying sub-category, and you don’t even have to haul yourself to a doctor’s office if you don’t want to. Missouri Marijuana Card offers telemedicine appointments that you can attend using your computer or your smartphone, from the comfort of your own home.
Give the team a call at 877-303-3117, or visit our website to learn more about whether you qualify for a card in the Show-Me State, and to set up an appointment for as early as today. We can even help you access your medical records if you are having trouble.
Learn More About Medical Marijuana
Your first visit to a dispensary is both exciting and a little intimidating—especially if you are unfamiliar with the products. Resources are still somewhat limited; but Missouri Marijuana Card’s website is building a library of informational material related to all things medical marijuana, so you can shop with confidence.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest in Missouri medical marijuana, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the conversation and show the medical marijuana community some love. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, to get notified whenever we release a new video!
The more you know about medical marijuana, the more secure you will feel in the decisions you make for your health, wellness, and symptom management. Check back often, so you never miss a beat when a new product arrives or a new dispensary opens.
You deserve to have the relief you need, without worry of breaking the law, and Missouri Medical Card is here to help!