Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018, and its MMJ program opened for business in the fall of 2020. Medical marijuana dispensaries have since opened across the state, selling a broad range of high-quality, locally produced MMJ products.
Missouri medical card holders enjoy an efficient, patient-friendly MMJ system that is improving lives by alleviating the symptoms of a wide range of medical conditions. But can out-of-state medical marijuana cardholders buy MMJ in Missouri dispensaries? Read on to find out.
Can You Buy From A Dispensary With an Out-Of-State MMJ Card?
Unfortunately, there is no blanket answer to the question “can you buy MMJ from a dispensary out-of-state”. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding this issue.
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
Some states practice MMJ reciprocity, which means that MMJ cardholders from certain other states can buy medical marijuana in local dispensaries. Other states do not allow people to buy MMJ without a local MMJ card. In states that have legalized recreational marijuana, anybody over the age of 21 can buy marijuana products.
Do You Need A Medical Card To Buy From A Dispensary In Missouri?
Yes, you need to possess a Missouri medical marijuana card to be able to purchase MMJ from Missouri dispensaries.
Can You Buy MMJ In Missouri With An Out-Of-State MMJ Card?
Does Missouri accept out-of-state MMJ cards? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Missouri does not practice MMJ reciprocity, meaning you cannot buy MMJ in Missouri dispensaries with an out-of-state MMJ card.
Out-Of-State Cardholders Can Consume MMJ In Missouri
Despite the fact that Missouri does not practice reciprocity and therefore does not allow out-of-state MMJ card holders to purchase medical marijuana locally, it does allow out-of-state cardholders to consume MMJ.
This means that card holders from other legal MMJ states can legally consume MMJ that they have brought with them from their home state. This can be a confusing situation for MMJ patients, however, because bringing medical marijuana across state borders is illegal at the federal level.
Can You Get A Medical Card In A Different State?
In most states, you must be a resident of the state in order to get an MMJ card. However, several states (for example, Oklahoma) have a medical marijuana temporary adult patient license, which is an MMJ license that can be used to purchase medical marijuana for a limited period while you are visiting the state. Unfortunately, Missouri does not offer temporary visitor MMJ cards.
What States Accept Out-Of-State MMJ Cards?
The following states accept medical marijuana cards from other legal MMJ states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Washington, DC
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For Medical Marijuana In Missouri?
The following conditions qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Missouri:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autism
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- IBS
- Intractable migraines
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Opioid substitution
- Parkinson’s disease
- PTSD or other debilitating psychiatric disorders
- Tourette syndrome
- Sickle cell anemia
- Seizures
- Terminal illness
- A “chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition” that a Missouri licensed physician decides would benefit from treatment with medical marijuana
What Are The Medical Marijuana Possession Limits In Missouri?
Missouri implements the following medical marijuana possession limits:
- Resident and visiting MMJ cardholders may possess 4 oz of medical marijuana per 30-day period.
- Resident MMJ cardholders may purchase up to 4 oz of usable cannabis per 30-day period.
Missouri MMJ cardholders are allowed to cultivate six flowering plants at home. For home cultivation, you must get an identification card from the Missouri Department of Health, which costs $100.
Where Can You Consume Medical Marijuana In Missouri?
It is illegal to consume medical marijuana in a public place or vehicle in Missouri. MMJ can only be consumed in a private location.
How Do You Get A Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?
You can apply for a Missouri medical marijuana card by arranging a telemedicine consultation with a licensed Missouri physician on the MMJRecs online clinic.
Once your suitability for MMJ treatment has been verified, you and the physician should complete the relevant sections of a Physician Certification Form. Once completed, the form should then be submitted, along with $25, to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Citizens.
Featured image by Briana Tozour on Unsplash