On November 6, 2018, Missouri voters approved a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana for patients with a qualifying condition. However, legislation goes back to 2014 when the Missouri Hemp Extraction Program (MHERP) was created allowing Missouri residents to use hemp extract for treatment of certain types of epilepsy.
Fast forward to 2018 Missouri voters spoke by ballot to legalize the production, distribution, possession, and use of medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions expanding well beyond the limited conditions recognized in HB 2238. The passing of Amendment 2 in November 2018 allowed state licensed physicians to recommend marijuana for patients with serious illnesses and medical conditions.
Per Article XI of the Missouri constitution, a qualifying medical condition consist of the following:
- 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 or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a 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.
The 2018 law includes language covering all aspects of Missouri medical marijuana from production through distribution and possession. You will find a current document of rules here, but here are is a specific excerpt from the document that explains a little about the rules behind cultivation:
“Qualifying patients and primary caregivers shall obtain identification cards from the department, which will include unique, identifying numbers for each patient and each caregiver patient relationship. A qualifying patient or his or her primary caregivers may also obtain an identification card to cultivate up to six (6) flowering marijuana plants for the exclusive use of that qualifying patient.” Excerpt from the “Missouri Secretary of State: Code of State Regulations”
Patients who are interested in cultivation are still expected to follow a strict set of rules regarding the quantity and responsibility of the flowering plants. Be sure to read more into the various rules regarding medical marijuana in Missouri.
There are two areas especially important to Missouri patients who wish to purchase, possess, and use medical marijuana.
Where to start...
To comply with Missouri laws patients are required to obtain certification from a physician who is licensed and in good standing with the state of Missouri. This is where https://www.420id.com can help. Understanding the increased demand for telemedicine especially during the events of 2020, 420ID provides the HIPAA compliant technology to make accessing the medical professional needed easy and safe regardless of physical distance. The patient is capable of stepping through each step of the process from the comfort and safety of their own home.
Certifications from licensed physicians are necessary to obtain Missouri Medical Marijuana ID Cards and to recertify when it is time to renew that card. Everything is done electronically with no office visit required.
Now that your card is in hand...
With a Medical Marijuana card in hand, patients have access to local dispensaries where experts are ready to help assess individual needs and recommend products that have been tested according to 19 CSR 30-95.070. Products range from pure marijuana flowers to marijuana infused products that comply with applicable food safety standards. Dispensaries are also limited to the amount of medical marijuana they are allowed to sell to patients within time periods. These limitations are also defined in the document mentioned above.
Access to alternative treatments offered by big pharma has been a long time coming. Now that medical marijuana has been legalized in the state of Missouri, patients with serious medical conditions have a choice. But it’s important that every patient is aware of the rules and regulations for purchasing and using it, so do yourself a favor and look into the rules behind it so you are well educated on what you are and are not allowed to do. Get schedule today:
