On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, medical cannabis legalization in Missouri was enacted through a vote from the public.

The measure is titled “Amendment 2” and it passed with an impressive 61 percent of the vote. That works out as 826,777 people voting against medical cannabis in Missouri and 1,572,592 people voting to approve medical cannabis.

During the election, three medical cannabis legalization initiatives were put forwards. Two out of the three failed to win over voter opinions. Here’s an overview of the results:

• Amendment 2:  Passed –  66 percent “yes” to 34.46 percent “no”

• Amendment 3: Failed – 30 percent “yes” to 69 percent “no”
• Proposition C – Failed – 41 percent “yes” to 58 percent “no”.

A doctor’s note is required to obtain medicinal-grade weed in Missouri. Once a doctor’s recommendation is procured by the patient, they can obtain it from a medical cannabis dispensary. Patients will also be given the option to grow their own weed, but that could be a time-consuming task.

What conditions qualify for medical cannabis in Missouri?

Based on the details of Amendment 2, patients with one or more of the following medical conditions will qualify to receive cannabis as a treatment:

• Cancer

• Epilepsy

• Glaucoma

• Intractable migraines

• Conditions that cause persistent pain or muscle spasms, including MS, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome.

• Debilitating psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, HIV or AIDS

• Dependence disorders, such as opioid addiction

• Any terminal illness

• Hepatitis C

• ALS

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Crohn’s disease

• Huntington’s disease

• Autism

• Neuropathies

• Sickle cell anemia

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Cachexia

• Wasting disease

• Any other chronic or debilitating medical condition that a doctor believes would benefit from medical cannabis treatments.

How much cannabis can I possess in Missouri?

Based on the details of Amendment 2, limits can be applied to monthly patient sales by the state. However, limits cannot be imposed on the sale of anything below four ounces of flower.

The limits can be lifted if an individual is able to obtain a note from two doctors. Patient possession limits may also be imposed by the state of Missouri, but not if it means that the patient will be left with less than 60 days worth of weed.

Can I buy or sell medical cannabis in Missouri?

At some point, of course. Brick-and-mortar businesses will eventually open their doors and when they do, patients can show a state identification card and a doctor’s note to the budtender in order to obtain pharmaceutical grade bud.

Dispensaries will be prohibited from opening their doors if they don’t have extensive licensing. A total of 24 or possibly more dispensaries will sell the cannabis to patients. Although medical cannabis in Missouri is taxed at four percent and is not covered by health insurance, the money goes to a good cause – veterans in Missouri.

When will dispensaries start selling medical cannabis in Missouri?

Patient applications must be taken by the state before June 4, 2019. Dispensary applications must also be collected before a deadline date: August 3, 2019. Upon receiving them, the state has 150 days to process them.

Where can I use medical cannabis in Missouri?

“Unless provided by law,” cannabis cannot be consumed in public in Missouri. It must be consumed on personal property.

What about driving under the influence of medical cannabis in Missouri?

As per the law, it is illegal to drive “under the influence of marijuana.”

Can I lose my job if I use medical cannabis in Missouri?

If you intend on using it on the job, probably. Even though medical weed is legalized under Amendment 2, the law doesn’t contain anything that “permits a person to bring a claim against any employer… [for] prohibiting … being under the influence of marijuana while at work.” Off the job? It’s not clear as to whether or not employers will drug test their employees now that legalization has passed.

Is home-growing permitted in Missouri?

A maximum of six plants can be grown in a “facility that is equipped with security devices” limiting access. The environment must be “locked” and “enclosed” in order to be compliant with cannabis laws in Missouri. No more than 18 plants should be grown by an individual for their “personal medical garden.”