Missouri

WHAT IS MISSOURI’S CURRENT CANNABIS MARKET STATUS?

Content Below Last Updated by Point7 4/8/2022

In 2022, as the medical cannabis program continues to expand, activists in Missouri are beginning to mobilize for a push for an adult-use program on the 2022 ballot initiative. Missouri filed official language in August of 2021 to qualify for the November 2022 election. The proposal on the ballot would essentially establish a system to regulate and tax cannabis and cannabis products for an adult-use market, while also establishing a system of automatic expungement of low-offense criminal records. This will impact the thousands of Missourians convicted of nonviolent cannabis offenses in the past. 

WHAT ARE MISSOURI’S CURRENT CANNABIS LAWS?

Cannabis was widely illegal in Missouri until 2018, when Amendment 2 was approved with 66% of the vote—a ballot measure which legalized the medical use of cannabis. Qualifying patients are now allowed to purchase up to four ounces of dried, unprocessed cannabis in a 30-day period and any qualifying patient who receives a qualifying patient cultivation identification card can grow up to six flowering cannabis plants, six nonflowering cannabis plants, and six clones. The tax rate on medical cannabis sales is 4% with a stipulation that proceeds must be allocated towards services for military veterans. 

Medical cannabis is typically recommended to patients by a physician. Patients who suffer from chronic illness, terminal illness, pain, or other medical issues are often prescribed medical cannabis as an alternative form of treatment. Patients receive their medical cannabis ID, which permits them to purchase products from medical cannabis dispensaries throughout Missouri. 

Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Missouri, but the Missouri Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative may appear on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in November 2022. The amendment would legalize recreational marijuana, prohibit taxation on medical marijuana, allow driving while under the influence of marijuana, and automatically expunge and release individuals convicted of nonviolent marijuana-related crimes.

WHAT IS MISSOURI’S CANNABIS LICENSING TIMELINE & CANNABIS APPLICATION PROCESS?

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) regulates cannabis business licenses and patient access to cannabis in the state of Missouri. The application period has closed for cultivation, testing, manufacturing and dispensary license. Only applications for Seed to Sale and Transportation certifications are available for submission. 

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS IN MISSOURI?

Cannabis in Missouri is legal for medical use, and has been partly decriminalized for recreational use. Qualifying patients can purchase medical cannabis from dispensaries and some can also grow their own cannabis plants at home. 

The cities of Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield have pushed for the decriminalization of cannabis since 2004 and as such decriminalization laws were enacted at a municipal level before the entire state of Missouri adopted a similar law.

In May 2014, Missouri passed Senate Bill 491, which minimized penalties for cannabis related charges. First-time possessions of up to 10 grams of cannabis were no longer punishable by jail-time. The bill, which went into effect in 2017, also reduced penalties for the sale and cultivation of cannabis, and reinstated probation or parole for third-time drug felony convictions. 

In July 2014, the House Bill 2238 was signed into law, legalizing the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil to treat persistent seizures. A licensed neurologist is responsible for identifying patients who have not responded well to other treatments and might benefit from treatments using CBD. These oils cannot contain more than .3% THC. In 2015, Missouri issued licenses to two non-profits to grow cannabis for CBD oil to be sold to patients

In November 2018, Missouri residents approved the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes. Qualified patients are now allowed to purchase medical cannabis, with a set tax of 4%, as well as grow up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones in their homes, if they receive a qualifying patient cultivation identification card. 100% of tax revenue from cannabis sales must be awarded to services benefiting American veterans. 

License holders experienced an interesting entry to the market as they attempted to build their new facilities during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused delays for many which resulted in licenses to be revoked as of early February 2021. As of March 24th, 2021, 260 of the 370 approved have yet to become operational.

DOES MISSOURI HAVE A HEMP PROGRAM?

Stay tuned!

PREPARING FOR THE MISSOURI CANNABIS MARKET

We are ready to support your team as you prepare for cannabis licensure in Missouri. Contact Point7 to discuss the fully customizable products and service packages available that have proved successful for operators around the country.