MISSOURI MEDICAL MARIJUANA HISTORY
Missouri Medical Marijuana History
In November 2018 the substantial beginning of Missouri Medical Marijuana History unfolded when Missouri residents approved with 66% of the vote a ballot measure (Amendment 2) to legalize the medical use of cannabis. The measure allowed qualified patients to grow up to six cannabis plants and purchase an amount of cannabis per month to be determined by state regulators (required to be at least 4 ounces). The measure set a 4% tax rate on medical cannabis sales with proceeds to be earmarked for services for military veterans. Although some qualifying conditions are specified, the law additionally allows cannabis to be recommended for any “chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition” as determined by a physician, along with any terminal illness.
Qualifying Conditions – Missouri Medical Marijuana History
Per Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, a qualifying medical condition is:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment
- A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or
- persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with
- multiple sclerosis, seizures,
- Parkinson’s disease,
- and Tourette’s syndrome
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to,
- post-traumatic stress order, if diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with prescription medications that could lead to physical or psychological dependence, when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication
- A terminal illness
- In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition, including, but not limited to,
- hepatitis C,
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
- inflammatory bowel disease,
- Crohn’s disease,
- Huntington’s disease,
- autism,
- neuropathies,
- sickle cell anemia,
- agitation of Alzheimer’s disease,
- cachexia,
- and wasting syndrome.
Legislation – Missouri Medical Marijuana History
Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment to allow medical cannabis, passed by a margin of 66 percent to 34 percent. Under the new law, qualified patients who have approval from their physicians will receive identification cards from the state that will allow them and their registered caregivers to grow up to six marijuana plants and purchase at least four ounces of cannabis from dispensaries on a monthly basis.
Additionally, the state regulators will issue licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as cultivation, testing, and infused product manufacturing businesses.
Also on the ballot with Amendment 2 were two other medical cannabis initiatives that were defeated. Amendment 3 contained a narrower set of qualifying conditions, a higher tax rate of 15 percent, and would not have allowed home cultivation. It failed with 32 percent of the vote. A third measure, Proposition C, was a statutory change as opposed to a constitutional amendment. It set a two percent tax rate and also contained no home grow provision. It failed with 44 percent of the vote.
2020 Updates – Missouri Medical Marijuana History
In April 2020, Missourians made an effort to pass an adult-use marijuana legalization ballot initiative in Missouri. Despite the campaign’s impressive progress in a short time, signature-gathering efforts were ultimately halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though disappointed, campaign leaders have vowed to build on the foundation of grassroots support and redouble efforts to end marijuana prohibition at the next available opportunity — most likely in 2022.
“We had hoped that it might be possible to persuade the state of Missouri to allow online signature gathering under the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in this spring,” said Dan Viets, coordinator for Missouri NORML. “However, that has not proven to be an option, and there does not appear to be any other path to gathering the 170,000 valid signatures we would require prior to the deadline in early May.”
Thankfully, Missouri’s medical marijuana program appears to be on track to have medical marijuana available for patients by the Fall or Winter 2020. Regulators are allowing doctors to conduct medical marijuana assessments via telehealth, and over 40,000 Missourians have already registered as medical marijuana patients.
Check out this mini-poll about how Missourians feel about marijuana efforts in Missouri.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri
To obtain a medical marijuana card, a patient needs to get a physician certification signed by a Missouri-licensed medical doctor that documents his or her medical condition. A patient should bring any relevant medical documents to an appointment to prove the medical condition. The physician certification proves that a doctor has recommended medical marijuana. Here at CalmEffect we now offer medical marijuana appointments via Telemed and at discounted rates.
After receiving the signed physician’s certification, a patient must apply to the state health department for a card within thirty days of receiving the certification. A patient may begin the application process on the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services website, Health.MO.Gov/safety/medical-marijuana. Personal information, including name, social security number, and photo identification are required.
The patient or caregiver card fee is $25 annually. Physician certifications vary in price and have to be renewed annually. The fee for a home grower card is $100 annually.
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