Patient FAQs

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Applications

  • How long does it take to process a new application?
    • The department has 30 days to process patient and caregiver applications; applications are processed in the order they were received. If you received a confirmation email with an application reference code or application ID number, your application has been submitted and is in queue. If you did not, and the application shows as “open” status in the application portal, the application has not been submitted.
  • How can I check the status of my application?

    • To find the status of your application:

      • Log into https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/
      • Click on “Applications” on the left side of the screen.
        • Applications that have been started, but not submitted will be in “open” status.
          • To submit an open application: click on “Not Applicable” under Application ID, click “Save and Next” to navigate through the application. On the review tab, click “Pay and Submit” at the bottom of the screen to submit.
          • If there are any red x’s on the review tab, there is information missing in the section of the application that the red x is next to. 
          • Submitted applications will have an application ID number and be in “submitted” status.
        • Rejected applications will be in “rejected” status and have a pop-up notification when you first log in.
      • If there are no applications on the Applications tab, the application has been processed.
        • Click “License Dashboard” to see the status of a processed application.
        • Approved applications will have the status of “approved” and will list a PAT/CAR license number.
          • You may download your license by clicking the “actions” button on an approved license.
      Denied applications will have the status of “denied”.
  • When will dispensaries open?
    • Facility licenses have been awarded, and a list of licensed facilities can be found on the Licensed Facilities page. Facilities are required to pass a commencement inspection prior to becoming operational. The department cannot say when facilities will be open since much depends on the circumstances and readiness of each business. However, if facilities are ready build, are in compliance with rules, and do not choose to make changes to their plans that require additional approvals, they could be operating as soon as late summer of 2020.  Current information on the status of licensed facilities can be found at https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/facilities.php.
  • How do I get a medical marijuana patient license and a patient cultivation license?
    Refer to 19 CSR 30-95.030.
    • Applicants who wish to apply for a Missouri Medical Marijuana card will need to be seen by a Missouri- licensed physician, who is active and in good standing to practice medicine (MD) or osteopathy (DO), to have an Electronic Physician Certification Form (Electronic Form) completed.
      • Physicians must first register with the Department in order to submit an electronic form. For more information, please visit the Physician Information page.
    • Once a physician has submitted a completed Electronic Form, patients will need to complete an online application through the registry portal within thirty (30) days of the physician’s signature date.
    • For a complete guide for how-to apply, please visit the Patient How to Apply page.
  • Can I do a walk-in application instead of applying on-line?
    • No. The Department only accepts patient/caregiver applications submitted through its secure, on-line registry. Any mailed patient/caregiver application and/or payment will not be accepted.
  • What information is required in the Cultivation Security Arrangement and Processes section of the patient/caregiver application?
    • Qualifying patient cultivation facilities must take place in an enclosed locked facility per 10 CSR 30-95.010. The description should include how you will comply with the requirements in this rule regarding location, security, and who will have access to the facility.

Caregivers

  • How do I apply to be a caregiver?
    1. The caregiver must have a Patient Authorization Form completed by the approved patient they are applying to be the caregiver for. The Patient Authorization Form can be found on the website as well: https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/sample-patient-authorization.pdf.
    2. After the caregiver has a completed Patient Authorization Form, the caregiver needs to complete an online application through the registry portal. For a complete guide for how-to apply, please visit the Patient Services – How-to Apply page on our website: https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/how-to-apply-pi.php.
      • Caregivers should create their own account in the registration system and should complete a ‘new caregiver application’ as applications created in a patients account will populate the patient’s information within the application and cannot be processed. Fees are nonrefundable.
      • Caregiver applicants who chose to create an application in another account must select ‘add an individual’, and then create an application.
  • Who should submit the documents in a caregiver application? The patient, or the caregiver?
    • Caregiver applicants will need to submit an application on behalf of themselves, including all required information, such as a digital photo, proof of Missouri residency and government issued photo ID.
  • What is a primary caregiver?
    • Someone who is:
      1. Twenty-one (21) years of age or older;
      2. Responsible for managing the well-being of a Qualified Patient; and
      3. Designated by the qualified patient on the primary caregiver’s application for an identification card or in other written notification to the Department.
    • Primary caregivers are individuals who have been authorized by the qualified patient to purchase and possess marijuana on behalf of the qualified patient.
    • They may also be authorized to cultivate medical marijuana plants on behalf of the qualified patient.
  • How many caregivers can a patient designate?
    • Patients can designate up to two caregivers. The patient must be licensed and the caregiver(s) must be licensed according to 19 CSR 30-95.030(8)(B).
  • How many patients can a caregiver have?
    • Caregivers can have up to three caregiver licenses for three (3) separate patients. No individual shall serve as a caregiver for a qualifying patient who is already served by two (2) primary caregivers. See 19 CSR 30-95.030(8) for more information.
  • Who can be a caregiver for a licensed minor patient?
    • Only legal guardians or parents of a licensed minor patient may serve as their licensed caregiver. See 19 CSR 30-95.030 (2)(B)6.
    • The legal guardian or parent that completed the Parental/Legal Consent Form in the minor patient’s application must serve as the qualified patient’s primary caregiver. See 19 CSR 30-95.030 (2)(A)7.
  • Is my licensed caregiver authorized to sell medical marijuana?
    • No. Only dispensaries licensed by the Department are authorized under Article XIV to sell medical marijuana, which must pass all testing requirements to ensure safe product. Caregivers who sell medical marijuana are in violation of Article XIV and rules. The potential consequences for this include revocation of the caregiver license and prosecution by law enforcement for violation of other applicable laws.
  • Can the department help patients network with caregivers?
    • No. The Department only has the authority to license caregivers through application procedures based on existing law and regulation.
  • How do I select a caregiver?
    • Qualified patients should be familiar with the definition of a primary caregiver and understand when selecting a primary caregiver they are authorizing that person to purchase and possess medical marijuana on their behalf. Authorizing another person to provide assistance in managing a patient’s medical marijuana needs is a right of the patient, and it will always be up to the patient whether the caregiver will continue to be authorized for that purpose. A patient’s decision on who to choose for this responsibility might follow the same considerations one would use when trusting another person to manage other types of personal medical needs and overall well-being.

Edibles

  • What number on my edible medical marijuana packages do I use to ensure that I am within my possession limits?
    • There are often several numbers on an edibles package, including the total weight of the package, which includes all of the contents of the package. Sometimes there will even be an intended or approximate THC content of the package, which is usually a round number integrated into the package design. The number that matters for possession limits is the total THC in the package, not the total weight of the package or an approximate amount noted as part of the package design. The exact total THC in the package can be found on a label with other important information, such as dosage amounts, instructions for use, and all active and inactive ingredients. Total THC for edibles will be listed in milligrams.

Fees

Gun Ownership/Purchase for Cardholders

  • Can I have a medical marijuana identification card and own and/or purchase guns?
    • Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, which authorizes medical use of marijuana in Missouri, does not reference or prohibit the possession or purchase of firearms. However, federal law still may prohibit the possession or purchase of a firearm by individuals who use marijuana, regardless of whether a state has legalized marijuana for medical use. The Department of Health and Senior Services does not regulate the possession or purchase of firearms and therefore cannot say how the federal prohibition will be enforced within Missouri. Specific questions about these federal firearm restrictions should be directed to your attorney or the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Patient/Caregiver Cultivation

  • Shared Cultivation

    • Per Article XIV, only two individuals, who both hold valid qualifying patient cultivation identification cards, may cultivate medical marijuana in one space. These two individuals may be two patients, a patient and a caregiver, or two caregivers. Normally, assuming two individuals are sharing the space, only 12 flowering marijuana plants may be cultivated in that space, as well as 12 nonflowering plants and 12 clones. However, if one of these two individuals is a caregiver and also a patient with a valid qualifying patient cultivation identification card, that individual may add 6 additional flowering plants, 6 nonflowering plants, and 6 clones to the share space so that the caregiver may cultivate plants for the patient under her care and for herself. This is the only circumstance under which plants for 3 patients may be grown in one shared space.

      The department has received numerous questions about this topic, and are excited to announce that an infographic is now available on our website.
  • Can I grow my own marijuana plants?
    • Yes, upon receipt of a patient cultivation identification card. There is an additional $100 fee to grow up to six flowering plants per patient and security regulations that must be followed. See 19 CSR 30-95.030(4) for more information.
  • If I have a patient cultivation card, where do I find seeds or plants to grow marijuana until dispensaries open?
    • The Department cannot advise anyone on where to obtain the means to grow marijuana.
  • Can a qualifying patient under the age of 18 obtain a cultivation license?
    • No, unless the qualifying patient under the age of 18 is emancipated. Only a parent or guardian who holds a primary caregiver identification card may obtain a cultivation license for a non-emancipated qualifying patient under the age of 18.
  • What combination of patients and caregivers may share a cultivation space?
    • Per Article XIV, only two individuals, who both hold valid qualifying patient cultivation identification cards, may cultivate medical marijuana in one space. These two individuals may be two patients, a patient and a caregiver, or two caregivers. Normally, assuming two individuals are sharing the space, only 12 flowering marijuana plants may be cultivated in that space, as well as 12 nonflowering plants and 12 clones. However, if one of these two individuals is a caregiver and also a patient with a valid qualifying patient cultivation identification card, that individual may add 6 additional flowering plants, 6 nonflowering plants, and 6 clones to the share space so that the caregiver may cultivate plants for the patient under her care and for herself. This is the only circumstance under which plants for 3 patients may be grown in one shared space.
  • I want a cultivator license and have a caregiver. Are we both required to apply for cultivator licenses?
    • No. In the qualifying patient/caregiver relationship, only the patient or the caregiver may obtain a cultivator license, but not both.
  • If I have a past conviction for possession, can I still receive a patient license for purchase and/or home grow?
    • Yes. Previous convictions do not disqualify an individual from obtaining an identification card. However, a qualifying patient’s identification may be revoked for certain criminal conduct that occurs after the card is issued. See 19 CSR 30-95.030(3)(B) for more information.

Past Conviction for Possession

  • If I have a past conviction for possession, can I still receive a patient license for purchase and/or home grow?
    • Yes. Previous convictions do not disqualify an individual from obtaining an identification card. However, a qualifying patient’s identification may be revoked for certain criminal conduct that occurs after the card is issued. See 19 CSR 30-95.030(3)(B) for more information.

Physician Certification

  • Can I visit a doctor now to obtain certification for my qualifying condition?
    • Yes. However, the physician certification must be no more than thirty (30) days old at the time you apply for a patient identification card or renewal card.
  • Can anyone other than a state-licensed physician (MD) or osteopath (DO) provide a physician certification?
    • No. Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution and our rules only allow an MD or a DO to certify qualifying medical conditions.
  • Can other types of medical professionals, other than those licensed pursuant to Chapter 34, certify patients?
    • No. “Physician,” as used in Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, is generally defined by Chapter 334 RSMo and specifically defined for purposes of medical marijuana certification by 19 CSR 30-95.010. Other medical professionals are not authorized by the Missouri Constitution or the Department to certify qualifying medical conditions.
  • Which medical professionals can certify patients to obtain an identification card?
    • Per Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, only physicians who are licensed and in good standing to practice medicine or osteopathy under Missouri law may certify qualifying medical conditions in patients. The practice of medicine or osteopathy means practice by persons who hold a physician and surgeon license pursuant to Chapter 334, RSMo, including those who are admitted to practice in Missouri by reciprocity pursuant to section 334.043, RSMo.
  • What information is required on the electronic physician certification form?
    • An electronic physician certification form must be completed by the certifying physician and submitted in their Department approved account in the electronic registry system. The following information is required: qualifying patient information, physician information, qualifying medical condition, physician attestation and agreement, and physician signature and date.
  • What if my physician (MD or DO) won't complete the physician certification form?
    • While Article XIV allows Missouri-licensed physicians to discuss and recommend medical marijuana for their patients, the Constitution does not mandate physicians do so as part of their practice. If your physician won’t complete the physician certification form, then ask if they would be willing to refer you to a physician who will.
  • Can physicians certify medical marijuana patients via telemedicine?
    • If the standard of care does not require an in-person encounter, and if the physician can conduct an exam via telemedicine in a manner that allows that physician to truthfully answer all attestations on the physician certification form in the affirmative, then yes, the physician may certify patients through telemedicine. As always, physicians licensed in Missouri who practice telemedicine must comply with RSMo 191.1145 and 191.1146. Physicians should also note the certification form requires a handwritten signature.

Renewals

  • When can I renew my license?
    • The window for submitting a patient or caregiver renewal is 60 days prior to, and no less than 30 days before, the expiration date. Please wait 24 hours following the receipt of a 60 day license renewal notification before submitting the renewal application in the registration system.
  • Why 60 days?
    • Applicants are given a 60-day window to apply before their medical marijuana card expires. This ensures that there is time for obtaining a new physician certification form, submitting a renewal application and for application processing prior to license expiration. The department has 30 days to process patient applications according to 19 CSR 30-95.030 (3)(A) and cannot guarantee that an application that is submitted less than 30 days before a medical marijuana card expires will be processed by the expiration date on the medical marijuana card.
  • Can I submit my renewal application less than 30 days from my license expiration date?
    • The system will not prohibit the submission of a renewal after the 30 day window, however the department has 30 days from submission to process an application. Therefore we cannot guarantee a renewal that is received in this time frame will be processed prior to expiration.
  • How will I know when it’s time to renew my license?
    • Licensees will receive notices 60, 45, 30 and 15 days prior to the license expiration date. These notices are sent from the registry system to the email address in the application.
  • I’ve submitted my application renewal, but am still receiving reminder emails about the 30 and 15 day renewal window. Is there something I need to do?
    • Renewal applicants will continue to receive automatic reminder emails until their application is approved or denied. If you have submitted your renewal application, and received a submission confirmation email containing an application reference code/application ID from the registry portal, you may disregard those automatic reminder emails.
  • Will I lose time on my license if I submit my renewal early?
    • Approved application renewals will be set to expire one year from the original application expiration date. For example, if the original application was approved on 7/1/2019, and has an expiration date of 7/1/2020, once the renewal application is processed and approved on 5/30/2020, the renewed license will have an expiration date of 7/1/2021.
  • How much does a renewal application cost?
    • Application fees for patient and caregiver renewals can be found on the Fee Schedule. There is an additional fee applied if cultivation is added to the application.
  • What will I need to submit with my renewal application?

    • Renewal applications shall include any information that has changed, along with all required document attachments that must comply with the standards of the initial application. This means that patient renewal applicants must obtain a new physician certification form, with the physician’s signature dated no more than 30 days prior to the renewal application submission date, and that a new patient authorization form will be required for a caregiver renewal application. Applicants will also be required to submit a digital photo, proof of Missouri residency, and government issued photo ID.

      A renewal application check-list is also available.
  • Do I need to change anything in my renewal application?

    • Renewal applicants must change any information listed in their application that has changed, this includes:

      • Changes in the physician information application section to ensure it matches the information on the new physician certification form. This includes ensuring the selected qualifying medical condition listed in the application matches the condition listed on the physician certification form.
      • Contact information
      • Cultivation information  
      For tutorial videos on completing an application, please visit the User Guide Tutorials page: https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/video-tutorial.php.
  • What if I cannot submit my renewal because of the red x by the thirty-day clause on the review page?

    • If there is a red x showing next to “Renewal applications that are submitted fewer than 30 days prior to the license expiration may not be processed prior to the license expiration date. Licensees are encouraged to submit renewal applications at least 30 days prior to expiration to ensure license reissuance prior to the expiration of their license.”, the applicant will need to go back to the “Questions” tab of the application and agree to that statement. It is the third question from the bottom. Once that statement is agreed to, click “Save and Next” at the bottom of the Questions tab, and navigate back to the “Review” tab. The red x will change to a green check mark.

      If there are any other red x’s on the “Review” tab, there is information missing in those sections of the application as well. Those will need to be corrected by going back into the application to those questions, filling in the missing information and clicking “Save and Next” at the bottom of the screen. There must be all green check marks on the review tab in order to submit an application.

  • What do I need to renew my patient/caregiver license?
    • A new physician certification form and updated proof of Missouri residency will be required for renewal of a patient license. A new patient authorization form will be required for renewal of a caregiver license. Approval steps are the same as in the initial application process with the exception of reviewing government id and photo, which will be carried over from the initial application submission. Application fees for patient and caregiver renewals are $25 per application. There is an additional $100 cultivation application fee if cultivation is added to the application.
  • How do I complete a renewal?

There are two ways to create a renewal application:

Option 1:

  1. Log into the registry portal - https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/
  2. Click “License Dashboard”
  3. Navigate to the far right on the row of information about the license and click on the actions button.
    1. This will look like a white circle with three lines in it.
  4. From the drop-down menu, click “Patient Renewal” or “Caregiver Renewal”.
  5. From there, you will need to select your license number from the “License Number*” drop down.
  6. Click “Save”.
  7. This will open the application and allow you to make edits to each page.
  8. Move through the applications by clicking ”Save and Next” at the bottom of each screen.
  9. Follow the prompts from there to complete and submit the application renewal.

Note: If your license expiration date is still more than 60 days out, you will not be able to select these options from the Actions button.

Option 2:

  1. Log into the registry portal - https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/
  2. Click “+Create Application”
  3. From the pop-out of application types, choose either “Patient Renewal” or “Caregiver renewal”.
  4. From the drop-down menu, click “Patient Renewal” or “Caregiver Renewal”.
  5. Click “Create Application”
  6. From there, you will need to select your license number from the “License Number*” drop down.
  7. Click “Save”.
  8. This will open the application and allow you to make edits to each page.
  9. Move through the applications by clicking ”Save and Next” at the bottom of each screen.

Follow the prompts from there to complete and submit the application renewal.

  • How will I know if my renewal application has been submitted?

    • You will receive a confirmation email with an application reference code/application ID number, which means that your application has been submitted and is in the application queue.

      If you did not, and the application shows as “open” status in the application portal, the application has not been submitted.
  • What happens once my renewal is submitted?
    • The department has 30 days to process patient and caregiver applications; applications are processed in the order they were received. All applicants will be contacted when the application is processed.
  • How can I check the status of my renewal application?

    • To find the status of your application:

      • Log into https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/
      • Click on “Applications” on the left side of the screen.
        • Applications that have been started, but not submitted will be in “open” status.
          • To submit an open application: click on “Not Applicable” under Application ID, click “Save and Next” to navigate through the application. On the review tab, click “Pay and Submit” at the bottom of the screen to submit.
          • If there are any red x’s on the review tab, there is information missing in the section of the application that the red x is next to. 
          • Submitted applications will have an application ID number and be in “submitted” status.
        • Rejected applications will be in “rejected” status and have a pop-up notification when you first log in.
      • If there are no applications on the Applications tab, the application has been processed.
        • Click “License Dashboard” to see the status of a processed application.
        • Approved applications will have the status of “approved” and will list a PAT/CAR license number.
          • You may download your license by clicking the “actions” button on an approved license.
      Denied applications will have the status of “denied”.
  • What if my license expires while my renewal is being processed?

    • There is a statement in the application, on the Questions tab, that applicants must agree to when submitting a renewal application that reads: “Renewal applications that are submitted fewer than 30 days prior to the license expiration may not be processed prior to the license expiration date. Licensees are encouraged to submit renewal applications at least 30 days prior to expiration to ensure license reissuance prior to the expiration of their license.”

      That statement means that since the department has 30 days to process all patient/caregiver applications, renewals that are submitted less than 30 days from the expiration date may experience a lapse in their license until the renewal application is processed.
  • What happens if my renewal application is rejected?

    • When an application is processed, and corrections are needed, the application is considered incomplete and is rejected back to the applicant for an opportunity to make the necessary corrections and resubmit a completed application. An email will be sent to the email address provided in the application with details and specific instructions on what corrections are needed.  Rejected applications must be resubmitted within ten calendar days. There is no additional cost to make corrections to and resubmit a rejected application.

      If applications are not resubmitted within the ten calendar days, they will go to denial. Applicants are responsible for confirming that the corrections in the application have been made before resubmitting. Changes can be reviewed and confirmed on the review page. There is no additional cost to make corrections to and resubmit a rejected application. Applicants will receive a confirmation email when an application has been successfully submitted, and will be in “submitted” status on the Applications tab of the application website.

      For additional assistance resubmitting a rejected application, please visit the tutorial page for rejected applications - https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/tutorials/tutorial-12.php.
  • What do I need to do once my renewal application is approved?

    • Once an application has been approved, patient and caregiver licenses are immediately available to download from the registry portal. The renewed license will have a new expiration date, and will need to be downloaded from the registry portal.

      To access your Patient/Caregiver license from a computer:
      (1) Log into https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/.
      (2) Click on ”License Dashboard” on the left side of the screen. 
      (3) Once on the License Dashboard, you will see a row of information about your license that starts with a green check mark. At the end of that row, under the Actions column, click on the three lines. 
      (4) Click “Download License”.

      Mobile devices display the width of the screen slightly different than viewing the site on a computer.

      To download your license from a mobile device:

      • Log into https://mo-public.mycomplia.com/
      • Click on the three lines in the top left corner.
      • Click on “License Dashboard”.
      • The page will reload, within the box that shows two headers – “status” and “Application ID”, use your finger to scroll across from right to left.
      • Continue scrolling over until you see the “Actions” header.
      • Click on the three lines inside the circle, a new pop-up will appear. You may have to click it twice.
      • Click “Download License”.

      Important Notes about approved licenses:

      • The department will not be mailing physical cards. It is the patient’s/caregiver’s responsibility to print their license.
      If applicants have been approved for cultivation, they will receive a separate email with their cultivation authorization license.
  • What do I need to know if my renewal application is denied?

    • With a denied application, patients may choose to re-apply or file an appeal.  Any new application must be accompanied by the applicable fee.  Please note that, pursuant to 19 CSR 30-95.030(3)(B)1.F, if an applicant receives two denials within a twelve-month period, any subsequent application within that period will be denied.   

      Pursuant to 19 CSR 30-95.025(6), denials of identification cards may be appealed to the Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) within thirty (30) days after the date of this notice.  Appeals may be sent by regular or certified mail to:  The Administrative Hearing Commission, P.O. Box 1557, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1557; or sent via fax to 573-751-5018.  For more information on appeals to the Administrative Hearing Commission, visit https://ahc.mo.gov.