How Do I Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Missouri?

Whether you’re a Missouri resident considering applying for an MMJ card or if you are a current cardholder looking to move to MO, there are steps you can take to secure your medical marijuana card online. The Missouri medical marijuana card process can be done entirely online. 

One will first need to obtain a certification from a licensed physician that they have a qualifying condition. Once certified by a medical professional, patients can go through the application process online, either through the state website or telehealth providers. Read on as we go over the steps to apply, renew, and become a caregiver in Missouri. 

The United States and Legal Medical Cannabis

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in thirty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Approved requirements vary by state, and many programs will require patience to apply for a medical cannabis card. This process will typically include a consultation and evaluation by a physician. A primary care provider can often suggest it for medical cannabis patients with long-term or chronic conditions.

Medicinal Cannabis Use

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions.

While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

MO Patient Eligibility

A Missouri medical marijuana patient must be 18 or older to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Only those who can prove MO residency can apply for a patient id number and a license for the medical marijuana program (valid state-issued driver’s license, Government ID). A Missouri resident must also have medical history showing a diagnosis that qualifies a doctor to recommend them as a patient that can legally obtain medical marijuana.

Qualifying Conditions in Missouri

Missouri residents with the following qualifying conditions can apply for patient registration and a Missouri medical marijuana certification:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Any terminal illness
• Autism
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Persistent pain, Chronic pain/neuropathy
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS or an acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Huntington’s disease
• IBS (Inflammatory bowel disease)
• Intractable migraines
• Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Opioid substitution (physical or psychological dependence)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Persistent muscle spasms
• Post Traumatic Stress Order (PTSD)
• debilitating psychiatric disorders
• Tourette syndrome
• Sickle cell anemia
• Seizures
• In a physician’s professional judgment, any other chronic medical condition that may be alleviated by marijuana, especially when prescription medication has not been working

Steps to Apply for a Medical Card

There are a few steps to get a medical marijuana card in Missouri with the help of Leafy DOC. First, you’ll select your State to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Missouri medical marijuana card process.

Skip the wait at the doctor’s office and schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with a few personal details and a summary of your medical records; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later.

An online recommendation with Leafy DOC starts at 149 USD for new patients and renewals in Missouri. If you are not approved, there is a money-back guarantee.

Connect with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video. Our licensed physicians will evaluate your qualifying condition and address your questions and concerns.

Log in to the Missouri Department of Health website at https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/ and register as a patient using your medical marijuana certification from Leafy DOC and the required documents.

After the state approves your registration, they will email you a downloadable patient ID card you can print. Once you have the MMJ card, you can visit Missouri dispensaries and purchase medicinal cannabis products.

Can Leafy DOC help?

Absolutely! Not only can Leafy DOC provide a way to see a doctor via telehealth and obtain your medical card, but we also offer access to knowledgeable and helpful customer support and a personalized health coach that can guide you before and after the MMJ card process.

Our mission at Leafy DOC is to provide a seamless customer experience, educate people about cannabis, and ultimately help people get medical cards quickly and efficiently.

Additional MMJ Card Fees in MO

Registration fees for the Missouri medical marijuana program may be lowered or waived for some people, including those on supplemental security income, social security disability income, and any Missouri state veterans receiving treatment.

Once you’ve received your evaluation, you’ll have to pay an additional 25 USD fee for your medical marijuana application with Missouri’s Department of Health. If you’d like to grow your own medical marijuana, there’s an additional 100 USD fee.

The Renewal Process

It is recommended to renew around a month before the expiration date to have time to complete the renewal appointment and application. Missouri medical marijuana cards expire one year after the certification date on the physician’s recommendation. New cannabis ID cards are issued upon recertification approval. The MMJ renewal price is typically 25 USD annually.

How to Apply as a Caregiver

A primary caregiver is an adult over 21 legally allowed to purchase, transport, educate, and administer medical cannabis to medical marijuana patients with a valid medical card.

Over thirty states have legalized medical marijuana programs, allowing caregivers to assist qualified patients. In these locations, state legislation provides legal protection for the patient and the caregiver from criminal penalties. 

In Missouri, the caregiver and patient must be able to provide proof of residency with a valid driver’s license or ID card. The caregiver must be added to the patient’s medical cannabis application as the primary caregiver to purchase and possess medical marijuana for the patient. The cost of a caregiver application in Missouri is approximately 26 USD.

A qualified MMJ patient may have up to two registered caregivers who are at least 21 years old and are residents of Missouri. Caregivers are allowed to assist three patients at once.

Where to Purchase Medical Marijuana in Missouri

Once registered for the Missouri Medical Cannabis program and received your ID card, you may wonder what’s next. There are a few ways to receive legal medical marijuana in Missouri as a qualified patient. 

Once you’ve received your medical marijuana card, you can start purchasing cannabis at licensed dispensaries. Most Missouri dispensaries offer a wide variety of medical marijuana products to choose from, including:

• Flower and Pre-rolls
• Edibles
• Tinctures
• Extracts
• Topical Creams
• Patches