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Cannabis in Missouri

Missouri legalized medical cannabis in 2018 when voters approved Amendment 2. Patients should be able to purchase it from licensed dispensaries beginning in 2020. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which is tasked with overseeing and regulating the state’s medical cannabis program, has until December 31, 2019 to approve medical marijuana business license applications.

Overview of Key Missouri Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? No

Personal Laws

Cannabis is not completely decriminalized in Missouri, but people in the state can possess cannabis within certain limits. Specifically, Missourians can possess up to 10 grams of cannabis and only pay a maximum fine of $500 for their first offense. Subsequent offenses or possession of more than 10 grams of cannabis without a medical cannabis patient or caregiver registration could be penalized with both a fine and jail time. Purchases must be made from licensed dispensaries.

Personal Possession

Overall Possession: Up to 10 grams of cannabis (penalized as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and no jail time for the first offense).

Registered Medical Patient Possession: Up to 4 ounces of dried plant material or its equivalent per 30 days (patients are allowed to possess up to a 60 day supply)

Non-Missouri Resident Purchases and Possession: None

Personal Growing

Registered medical marijuana patients and registered caregivers can grow cannabis plants within specific limitations, but they must register for and receive a cultivation card in order to do so.

Registered Medical Patient Growing: No more than 6 plants

Registered Caregiver Growing: No more than 6 plants

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients and caregivers are required to register with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and renew their registrations each year. Patients must have a qualifying condition and receive a medical marijuana recommendation from a physician registered with the state’s medical cannabis program.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease (agitation related to)
  • Any terminal illness
  • Autism
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Chronic pain/neuropathy
  • 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
  • Any “other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition” that may be alleviated by marijuana “in the professional judgement of a physician”

Business Laws

Vertical integration or “license stacking” is allowed but not required in Missouri, which means a company can hold multiple licenses across the Missouri supply chain (e.g., both cultivation and dispensary licenses). Residency for at least one year is required to apply for a cannabis business license in the state.

By December 31, 2019, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is required to approve cannabis business license applications for the 60 cultivation, 86 processing, and 192 dispensary licenses.

License Types

  1. Cultivation Licenses
  2. Processor Licenses
  3. Dispensary Licenses

License Fees

Cultivator: $10,000 application fee (non-refundable) and $25,000 annual license fee

Processor: $6,000 application fee (non-refundable) and $10,000 annual license fee

Dispensary: $6,000 application fee (non-refundable) and $10,000 annual license fee

License Timeline

Missouri will award applications for business licenses as follows:

  • Early 2019: More than 500 cannabis business license applications were pre-filed.
  • Late 2019: Additional cannabis business license applications were accepted.
  • December 31, 2019: Cannabis business license applicants are required to be approved by this date.

Testing

Cannabis testing is required in Missouri.

Training

Missouri does not require specific training for license holders or employees.

Learn More about Cannabis in Missouri and How to Work or Start a Business in the Missouri Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry in Missouri and across the country. Follow the link to register for an upcoming seminar.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 12/4/19.