Adult Use FAQs

Adult Use

When will the department be accepting new medical or comprehensive facility license applications?

Because existing medical licenses can convert to comprehensive licenses, which can sell marijuana to both patients and consumers, no new medical or comprehensive license applications will be accepted at this time. When the department begins accepting any new facility applications, application periods will be publicly announced on our website at least six months in advance. Please visit Licensee Compliance and Guidance to periodically check for announcements that pertain to future application periods.

Who is considered a consumer?

A consumer is someone who is at least twenty-one years of age.

I am not a qualifying patient. Can I grow my own marijuana?

Consumers with an approved consumer personal cultivation identification card will be authorized to cultivate plants for personal, non-commercial use within an enclosed locked facility at their residence.

Differences in the medical program versus adult use program

As of December 8th, 2022 – all approved patient ID card holders will be allowed a standard allotment of 6oz (or more based on physician recommendation) within a thirty day period, with medical purchases at a 4% tax rate.

Adult-use marijuana may be purchased by consumers who are at least twenty-one years of age. Up to 3 ounces may be purchased in a single transaction, and consumers may be in possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana at any time. Adult-use purchases will be taxed at 6% in addition to any local taxes.

What will be required for a consumer to make a purchase from the dispensary for adult use?

Consumers will be required to present a valid government issued photo ID when purchasing adult use products at a dispensary.

What is a microbusiness facility?

A microbusiness facility refers to either a microbusiness dispensary or a microbusiness wholesale facility, both of which conduct operations related to marijuana for medical and adult use. A microbusiness is different from a medical or comprehensive facility because it is designed to provide a path to facility ownership for individuals who might not otherwise easily access that opportunity, such as those with a net worth of less than $250,000 or veterans with a service-connected disability. In order to qualify for a microbusiness facility license, applicant entities shall be majority owned by individuals who each meet at least one of a number of qualifications set forth in the Constitution.

What is a microbusiness dispensary facility?

A microbusiness dispensary facility is a licensed microbusiness facility where marijuana is dispensed for medical and adult use. Microbusiness dispensaries may only acquire product from and sell product that was produced by microbusiness wholesale facilities.

Does the Department require zoning verification from localities prior to approving converted licenses, similar to what was required for medical facilities?

No. Local zoning verification is not part of the Department’s conversion application process. Compliance with local zoning will be necessary after conversion, and any situations of zoning updates will be addressed on a case by case basis throughout these transitions. Because Article XIV includes provisions about local zoning of comprehensive facilities, we encourage you to reach out to your local government for compliance with any such zoning requirements.

What is a microbusiness wholesale facility?

A microbusiness wholesale facility combines the concepts of a cultivation facility and a manufacturing facility to serve both the medical and adult use communities. A microbusiness wholesale facility may engage in all or only a subset of the activities approved under its license. If cultivating, microbusiness wholesale facilities may cultivate up to two hundred and fifty flowering plants at a time. Microbusiness wholesalers may only sell product to microbusiness dispensary facilities.

I am an owner of a current licensed cannabis facility. Can I also be an owner of a microbusiness license?

No. Article XIV prohibits an entity or individual from being an owner of both a microbusiness and a licensed marijuana or medical facility.

What does the State of Missouri do with the revenue from cannabis sales?

By law, sales tax proceeds from adult-use cannabis sales will first go to the Department to operate the program. The remainder will go towards governmental entities to carry out expungement of certain marijuana offenses; the Missouri veterans commission for health care and other services for veterans; the Missouri public defender system to provide legal assistance to low-income Missourians; and local governments if the local government taxes cannabis sales.

Medical Program Changes

Who can certify a qualifying patient for medical marijuana in Missouri?

Qualifying patients may be certified by an MD, DO or a nurse practitioner who is licensed and in good standing with the state of Missouri.

Do I need proof of Missouri residency to apply for a Missouri medical marijuana patient ID?

No, the new law no longer requires proof of Missouri residency within the patient application process.

How many approved caregiver ID cards can one individual hold?

The new law allows for an individual to be a licensed caregiver for up to six (6) separate patients.

Can I still apply for a medical marijuana ID card?

Yes, pursuant to Section 1 of Article XIV, the department will continue issuing ID cards to qualifying patients. Information on how qualified patients can apply is available on the Cannabis Regulation web page.

What documentation is required to apply for a patient ID card?

All applications require a physician or nurse practitioner certification, less than 30 days old, submitted on behalf of the qualifying patient; a legible copy of the qualifying patient’s government-issued photo identification card; and a clear, color digital photo in which the applicant’s face can be clearly seen. The digital photo must show a clear image of the applicant’s full face, from the shoulders up, without filters, hats, sunglasses, or other things that distort the image. This image will appear on the approved ID card.

Additional information can be found on the department’s Cannabis Regulation web page.

What documentation is required to apply for a caregiver ID card?

All caregiver applications require a legible copy of the primary caregiver’s government-issued photo identification card; a clear, color digital photo in which the applicant’s face can be clearly seen; and either a completed patient authorization form or written consent of the parent or legal guardian who will serve as the qualifying patient’s primary caregiver. The digital photo must show a clear image of the applicant’s full face, from the shoulders up, without filters, hats, sunglasses, or other things that distort the image. This image will appear on the approved ID card. The patient authorization form is available on the Cannabis Regulation web page.

ID Card Expiration Date Changes

How long are medical marijuana ID cards valid?

Patient, caregiver, and patient or caregiver cultivation applications processed on or after December 8, 2022 will be approved for 3 years. ID cards approved before that date will be valid for one year. Upon the next approved renewal after December 8, 2022, the ID cards will be valid for 3 years.
The fee for cultivation applications will change to $50.00.

How long are consumer cultivation cards valid?

A consumer personal cultivation identification card is valid for 12 months from its date of issuance and is renewable.

Unchanged Rules

Are patients still required to obtain a new physician certification form with their renewal application?

Yes, Patients will be required to obtain a new physician or nurse practitioner certification form to submit with their patient renewal application. Certification forms must be submitted by an MD, DO, or nurse practitioner who is licensed and in good standing with the state of Missouri.

Will patient application fees increase with the amendment changes?

Regular patient and caregiver application fees are charged consistently with the previous law, but the approved ID card will be valid for 3 years instead of the previous 1 year. The price of a regular patient and caregiver card is adjusted with changes to the Consumer Price Index.
Patient and caregiver cultivation fees will be reduced from $100 (currently $110.99 after CPI adjustments) to $50 per application, to be adjusted with changes in the Consumer Price Index.
A fee schedule is available on our website

Do patient certification forms still need to be submitted to the department within 30 days as part of a completed patient application?

Yes. Once the certifying medical professional has submitted a certification form, the qualifying patient must then register and complete a patient application through the registry portal. This patient application must be submitted to the department within 30 days of the medical professional's signature date on the form.

Will the department be mailing physical ID cards?

No. The department will not be mailing physical cards. It is the ID card holder’s responsibility to download and print their approved ID from the registry portal.

How long does it take for a submitted patient or caregiver application to be processed?

The department has 30 days to process patient and caregiver applications. Applications are processed in the order they were received.

Are tax rates for medical marijuana changing?

The tax rate for medical marijuana purchases will remain at 4%.
The state tax rate for adult-use marijuana purchases will be 6%.Local governments may impose an additional sales tax of up to three percent.

Can an individual have a patient cultivation ID card without first having a patient ID card?

No. The patient ID application must be approved before a patient cultivation ID application may be submitted.

Where do all the taxes from sales go?

By law, proceeds from adult-use marijuana sales will go towards:

Governmental entities needed to carry out expungement of certain marijuana offenses.
The Missouri veterans commission for health care and other services for veterans.
The Missouri public defender system to provide legal assistance to low-income Missourians.
Local governments, if the local government taxes marijuana sales.
Grant recipients.

Consumer and Patient Possession Limits

Patient/Caregiver Purchase and Possession Limit

Under the new law, an approved Patient ID card holder, or a Caregiver ID card holder on behalf of a licensed patient, may purchase up to 6 ounces of dried, processed marijuana or its equivalent within a 30-day period, unless a physician or nurse practitioner certifies the patient for a greater amount. A patient ID card holder, or caregiver ID card holder on behalf of a licensed patient, may be in possession of up to a 60-day supply (12 ounces, unless the patient has a physician or nurse practitioner certification authorizing more than 6 ounces in 30 days).

Can qualifying patients be certified for more than 6 ounces?

Yes. Qualifying patients may be certified for more than 6 ounces if their certifying physician or nurse practitioner determines that there is a compelling reason to do so, and certifies the higher amount on the certification form.

Patient Cultivation Possession Limit

Under the new law, approved Patient ID card holders who are cultivating marijuana for medical use or whose primary caregivers are cultivating marijuana on their behalf, may be in possession of up to a 90-day supply of dried, unprocessed marijuana or its equivalent, as long as any amount in excess of the patient’s 60-day supply remains in an approved enclosed, locked facility.

What are possession limits of an approved caregiver ID card holder?

Approved caregiver ID holders may possess a separate legal limit for each qualifying patient under their care, for up to 6 patients; and a separate legal limit for themselves if they are a qualifying patient. All marijuana in the caregiver’s possession shall be stored separately for each qualifying patient and labeled with the qualifying patient’s name.

The legal limit for any licensed qualifying patient is a 60-day supply, unless that patient or the primary caregiver on behalf of that patient is licensed to cultivate. Approved cultivators may be in possession of up to a 90-day supply of dried, unprocessed marijuana or its equivalent, as long as any amount in excess of the patient’s 60-day supply remains in an approved enclosed, locked facility.

Consumer Purchase and Possession Limit

A consumer may purchase up to 3 ounces in a single transaction, and be lawfully in possession of up to 3 ounces of dried, processed marijuana or its equivalent.

Consumer Personal Cultivation Possession Limits

Consumer personal cultivation ID card holders must keep any amount of cultivated marijuana above their allowed 3 ounce possession limit at their residence in an approved enclosed, locked facility.

Consumer and Patient Cultivation

Can I be authorized for both personal cultivation and patient cultivation?

No. Patients/consumers will only be authorized to have one cultivation authorization.

Are patients still required to obtain a new physician certification form with their renewal application?

Yes, Patients will be required to obtain a new physician or nurse practitioner certification form to submit with their patient renewal application. Certification forms must be submitted by an MD, DO or nurse practitioner that is licensed and in good standing with the state of Missouri. However, the new law only requires patient ID card renewal every 3 years.

Will application fees increase with the amendment changes?

Some application fees have changed. A fee schedule is available on our website.

Do physician or nurse practitioner certification forms still need to be submitted to the department with a completed patient application within 30 days of the date on the form

Yes. Once the certifying medical professional has submitted a certification form, the qualifying patient must then register and complete a patient application through the registry portal. This patient application must be submitted to the department within 30 days of the medical professional's signature date on the form.

Will the department be mailing physical ID cards?

No. The department will not be mailing physical cards. It is the ID card holder’s responsibility to download and print their approved ID from the registry portal.

How long does it take for a submitted application to be processed?

The department has 30 days to process patient and caregiver applications. Applications are processed in the order they were received.

Are tax rates for medical marijuana changing?

No. The tax rate for medical marijuana purchases will remain at 4%.

Can an individual apply for a patient cultivation ID card without first having a patient ID card?

No. The patient ID card is required to apply and be approved for a patient cultivation ID card.

How do medical professionals become approved to certify patients?

Certifying Medical Professionals must register and verify with the department prior to submitting certification forms.

Additional Patient and Consumer Protections

Can I be a patient or consumer if I am on Probation/Parole?

Sections 1 and 2 of Article XIV provide certain protections for patients and consumers on probation/parole, or other state supervision, that are outside of the department’s authority and subject to the agencies with jurisdiction, and the courts, to make those decisions.

Can employers have policies related to employing patients and consumers who use marijuana?

Sections 1 and 2 of Article XIV provide certain protections for patients and consumers for employment-related issues that are outside of the department’s authority and subject to agencies with jurisdiction over employment-related issues. Please consult with an attorney on your specific circumstances.

Does the new law include any provisions for de-criminalization of certain marijuana related offenses?

Yes. It includes a provision to allow persons with certain marijuana-related non-violent offenses to petition for release from incarceration or parole and probation and have records expunged. Please consult with your legal counsel on whether this may apply to your situation.

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