How Simple is It to Obtain a Missouri Medical marijuana Card?

Did you know that getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri is not as complicated as it sounds? Missouri state legalized the use of medical cannabis in 2018. But it took some time for the government to put everything in place. And in 2019, Missouri started taking applications, but the sales started in October 2020. Keep reading this article on getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri.

Missouri Medical Cannabis State Laws

It is essential to note that medical cannabis state sales started in October 2020. Missouri State decriminalized possession of any amount of cannabis through Senate Bill 491 in May 2014. However, the law did not start working until January of 2017. The law ensures you will not face jail time if you possess less than ten grams of cannabis.

But this is still a minor misdemeanor, and you will pay a fine of up to $500. But a second offense could result in a prison time of up to a year. Suppose you are caught with 35 grams of cannabis, this is a felony, and you will face up to seven years in prison.

How to Get Medical Marijuana in Missouri

The health department has worked hard to ensure the progress was workable. Medical cannabis sales began in October 2020. To prove your residency, you need to have the following documents.

• A valid Missouri driver’s license
• Missouri ID
• The current motor vehicle registration
• A current Missouri utility bill.

You must note that only Missouri residents at least 18 years are eligible for this card. You also need to be a medical marijuana qualifying ailment. If you are a minor, you can still apply for this card with the help of a caregiver.

Complete the Physician Certification Form

When medical cannabis is legalized in the state, it can take several years to take off the ground. But the state of Missouri already has the steps involved when getting this card. The first thing to do is set an evaluation with a cannabis doctor licensed in the state of Missouri.

During the consultation session, the physician will check on your medical records and inquire about some questions. The aim is to ensure you are the best candidate for medical cannabis.

Register for the Medical Cannabis Card

You can register online using the registration portal. The next thing is choosing the patient/caregiver application registry box. Note that the state only accepts applications that are sent through the registry.

Complete the Application

After the registration, you need to apply within 30 days of getting your physician’s recommendation. It would be best if you went into the registry portal, then clicked create the application and new patient registry. The Department of Health in Missouri will complete the evaluation in 30 days and process it in the order it gets them. Suppose there are some corrections required. 

The DOH will email you the corrections to make. You will only have 30 days to make the corrections, or they will reject your application. After the approval, you will be emailed a patient ID that you can print out. It is the only proof you need since the state does not issue any physical cards.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Card Costs

Getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri requires you to pay $25.94 for both patients and caregivers. The card is good for one year, and then you will need to renew it for $25.94. If you want to grow marijuana plants, you will pay an extra $103.73 for the license. The average consultation fee is typically $150 and $200.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Qualifying Ailments

A medical marijuana card in Missouri requires you to have at least one of the following qualifying ailments.

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Intractable migraines
• HIV/AIDS
• Severe or persistent pain/muscle spasms. These include those associated with and are not limited to multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette syndrome.
• Psychiatric issues like PTSD
• A chronic medical issue is usually treated with prescription medication that could cause physical or psychological dependence. And this is when the physician that medical cannabis can treat the condition.
• Any terminal ailment
• ALS
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Autism
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Neuropathies
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome

How Long It Takes to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri

The first thing you need to do is to ensure you are a Missouri resident. From this, it will depend on the time it takes to book a consultation session with a cannabis doctor. After completing and submitting your application, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will process it in 30 days. But you can receive your card in less than two weeks.

Renewing Your Missouri Medical Cannabis Card

The best time to renew your card is when the expiration date is 60 days away. Generally, you should apply for the card at least 30 days before it expires. This will give the DHSS enough time to process it. The process will take like 30 minutes after you have logged into the website. While there, click on the patient/ caregiver application registry tab, and you will get directions to the Missouri medical marijuana program registry portal.

The next step will be entering your username and password. Then click on create the new patient application. Choose your patient license number and ensure the information is up to date. The following step will be clicking on the physical details and changing the certification type from manual to electronic.

Upload all the documents to prove you reside in Missouri state and pay the renewal fee. And also the added fees if you want to grow cannabis at home.

Conclusion

Above all the details you need to know when getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri. But one thing to note Is that you are not allowed to use cannabis in any public place. You are also not permitted to drive while under the influence of marijuana. The state might legalize the use of recreational cannabis in November 2022, but until then, you need to opt for a medical cannabis card if you want to consume marijuana legally. The process you noted is direct, affordable, and can protect you from legal issues.