Marijuana laws in Missouri can be, well, confusing to say the least. Due to changing regulations from state to state and constant updates, it can often be a challenge to keep up with what is legal and what is not.

The good news is that there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel with a chance for the people of Missouri to show up at the polls next November.

Let’s start with the question that is sure to be on your mind first: is marijuana legal in Missouri? This is an equally confusing answer to the legislation in the state. Yes it is legal but at the same time it is not.

Medical marijuana is legal in Missouri, but recreational marijuana is still illegal. Therefore, people with valid medical marijuana cards are the only ones who can access cannabis in Missouri.

To answer briefly: Medical marijuana and hemp-derived CBD with THC less than 0.3% are the only legal forms of cannabis in the state.

Current laws in Missouri state that to legally possess cannabis you must:

• Have a marijuana medical card (MMJ card).
• You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a valid MMJ card.
• You must be a MO resident and demonstrate one of several qualifying conditions that the state requires.

If you are under 18, you can still get your medical card. You will only need a designated caregiver to complete the medical paperwork and purchase your marijuana products for you.

Remember: recreational cannabis is not currently a legal option in this state.

Yes, you can grow your own weed in Missouri, but there are many stipulations you have to follow.

Mainly you have to be a medical patient and have DHSS (Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) clearance. You must grow your plants in an enclosed facility, the DHSS will inspect it and, if approved, you must pay the fees stipulated by the entity.

According to Missouri marijuana laws, a medical patient can grow up to six flowering plants, six non-flowering plants and six clones. Clones must be less than 14 inches.

You must label all of your cannabis plants with your name (or the patient’s name) and clearly display your facility’s DHSS cultivation authorization.

Only DHSS-licensed dispensaries may sell marijuana in the state.

The future of recreational cannabis in Missouri remains blurry, but there is a possibility that it could be on the 2022 ballot.

Something very important to consider is that Missouri voters will be able to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana for adults on Nov. 8.

The ballot initiative was launched this year by Legal Missouri 2022, a group led by some of those who pushed for the 2018 amendment that legalized medical marijuana in the state and is backed by much of Missouri’s medical marijuana industry.

According to the website of Legalmo22, the activist group that introduced the proposal, some of the points the bill seeks are:

• Legalization: Allow Missourians 21 and older to possess, purchase, consume and grow marijuana.
• Automatic expungement of criminal records: Allows Missourians with non-violent marijuana-related offenses to automatically expunge their criminal records.
• State and local taxes: Imposes a 6% state tax on retail marijuana sales and allows local governments to levy local sales taxes of up to 3%.
• New business licenses: Seeks to expand participation in the industry by small business owners and among disadvantaged populations.
• Strengthens Missouri’s medical marijuana program: Extends the length of validity of medical marijuana patient and caregiver ID cards from one to three years, while keeping their cost low ($25).