Missouri is known as one of the first states in America to legalize medical marijuana. The Missouri Department of Health began accepting applications for patients on July 1, 2018 and expects dispensaries will be available by mid-to-late 2024 at current speeds. However, in anticipation that it may take some time before statewide policies are streamlined and solidified, many providers hesitate to evaluate their patient populations who have applied under Amendment Two. This is because they can’t yet get approved due solely to being within proximity boundaries without additional qualifications (age limit).
Qualifying for a patient in Missouri
Missouri is a state that permits patients with certain medical conditions to use marijuana. The process for obtaining this card (issued by companies like 420id), however, can be daunting and complicated because there are many requirements involved in order from living a healthy lifestyle all throughout your day-to-day routine; such as being an official resident or having had their doctor certify you by submitting paperwork online within 30 days after diagnosis where they will also need to fill out some other necessary forms before receiving approval. To qualify, you should have one of the following medical conditions:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Migraines
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- A chronic medical condition that leads to psychiatric or physical dependence
- A chronic medical condition causing severe, persistent pain
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders
- A chronic medical condition
- In the professional opinion of a physician, any other chronic, devastating or medical condition that involves but is not limited to hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inflammatory bowel disease, and Crohn’s disease.
Application
With the Missouri Department of Health’s online registry, you can apply for your medical cannabis card with just a few clicks. You will need some basic application requirements prior to beginning:
- A valid email address
- The right mindset 3-4 weeks’ worth or time that suits best in order to get approved quickly
Here are the other requirements to begin an online application process to get a medical marijuana card in Missouri:
- Date of birth, name, social security number
- Email address
- Proof of residency, which may include driver’s license, ID card, current motor vehicle registration, or recent utility bill
- The physician certification form is a legal document that must be signed by an appropriately licensed medical professional. It can take around 30 days for its completion, but if submitted within this timeframe, the patient will get their card in time. This needs to be photographed or scanned to be submitted.
- Copy of ID card issued by the government
- Parental or legal guardian consent if applicable
- Clear and colored photo of the patient
- Statement showing if the patient is taking any assistance from Missouri programs for low income. If so, then which programs. However, this information is optional.
- Statement showing if the patient is getting authority to cultivate cannabis
- Attestation
- Date of application and signature
- $25 fee for qualifying patients
- $25 fee for qualifying caregivers
- $100 fee for patient cultivation
Caregivers have to be at least the age of 21 years and capable of supervising the well-being of a certified medicinal marijuana patient. While patients can only have TWO caretakers, a caregiver can care for up to THREE patients. Qualifying patients must complete an authorization form designating their caregiver and submit it along with their online application with a fee of $25.
Regulations for the card to follow
In Missouri, a prior conviction does not preclude you from becoming a medical marijuana patient. However, if a conviction occurs AFTER acquiring a medicinal marijuana card, patient and caregiver status may be revoked. In Missouri, patients can only purchase and own up to 4 ounces of dried unprocessed cannabis or its equivalent every 30 days. Suppose a patient needs more than the legally permitted quantity.
In that case, they must get two extra physician certification papers with convincing evidence from SEPARATE doctors saying as much before The Department of Health would provide them access. Patients are also charged four% tax on top state taxes when purchasing medicine at licensed dispensaries across our beautiful state. Patients licensed to cultivate can grow six mature plants per patient in a secluded facility. However, the department cannot provide any information about where to purchase seeds and how to grow them. The program is strictly designed for the residents of the state that qualify for the card.
Pros of having a marijuana card
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Legal protection
According to OnlineMedicalCard.com, if you are a resident of a state where medical cannabis is only permitted by law, an MMJ card can be what stands between a felony charge and freedom. Let’s take Arkansas as our example; they voted on legalization this past November. So, having a medical marijuana card in Missouri allows you to b legally protected as you are doing what the law permits.
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Reduces costs
Being an MMJ cardholder can save you tons of money. This is a significant benefit for people who are in genuine need of cannabis for medical purposes. In addition, you can avoid excise and retail marijuana taxes to an incredible limit.
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High potency
Dosage is imperative when it comes to consuming cannabis, as it is needed to mitigate the symptoms or lower its intensity. For an MMJ cardholder, the dispensaries are allowed to sell a higher dosage of cannabis to patients who are in desperate need. In recreational counterparts, you are allowed to have only 1000mg of cannabis as a limit, while you can increase the limit with a card.
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Possession limits
MMJ cardholders can carry a higher limit of cannabis as compared to recreational areas. Recreational users are only permitted to keep one ounce of marijuana as a legal limit and up to eight grams of cannabis concentrate. Cardholders, on the other hand, can carry a much larger amount. In addition, for recreational use, you must be at least 21 years of age, while in medical states, you are allowed to buy cannabis at the age of 18.
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Cultivating limits
Every medical marijuana program doesn’t allow you to grow marijuana at home in your backyard. Certain states only allow you to grow if you live away at a particular distance from the closest dispensary.
Conclusion
Here we are have mentioned everything you need to know on getting a medical marijuana card in Missouri and the benefits of holding them. This should cover all of your questions.