Becoming a Patient in Missouri

To become a patient in Missouri, start by visiting your physician and asking them about medical cannabis to treat one of the qualifying conditions listed below. Once your doctor has completed a certification, you can fill out your ID card application online. You will need a few documents, so be sure that you have ready:

1. Your name, date of birth, and social security number.
2. Your residence address and mailing address.
3. A statement that you reside in Missouri and do not claim residency in another state.
4. A copy of a valid Missouri driver's licence, state ID, current vehicle registration, or a recent Missouri utility bill.
5. A statement confirming that your physician certification is less than 30 days old.
6. a legible photo ID issued by a state or federal government entity.
7. A clear color photo of your face taken within 3 months of the application.
8. (optional) a statement indicating whether you are currently receiving assistance from any Missouri programs for low-income individuals, and if so, which programs.

Eligible conditions:

"Qualifying medical condition" means the condition of, symptoms related to, or side-effects from the treatment of:

1. Cancer;
2. Epilepsy;
3. Glaucoma;
4. Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment;
5. A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson's disease, and Tourette's syndrome;
6. Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, if diagnosed by a state licensed psychiatrist;
7. Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome;
8. A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to physical or psychological dependence, when a physician determines that medical use of cannabis could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication;
9. Any terminal illness; or
10. In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition, including, but not limited to, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, Huntington's disease, autism, neuropathies.

Becoming a Patient as a Minor:

Individuals under the age of 18 who wish to become patients will go through a similar process as their adult counterparts with two minor changes: First, Two separate physician certifications are required for minor patients. Second, there will also be a parental or legal guardian consent form which includes acknowledgements that the signator will serve as the minor patient's primary caregiver and will bear the responsibility of purchasing and administering medicine.

Benefits of Being a Patient:

You will have an affirmative defense in court if arrested for cannabis possession. If you require an organ transplant, as a registered patient, you will not be turned away because of your cannabis use.

Becoming a Caregiver:

Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age. To start the process, have a registered patient complete a caregiver authorization form. Patients may designate up to two caregivers this way, each caregiver may serve up to three patients. Caregivers will then make an account on the Missouri health portal and complete their application online. Be sure to have all of the same documents listed or patients above.

Out of State Patients:

The state of Missouri does not recognize out of state patient registrations.

Home Cultivation:

Patients over the age of 18 with valid registry ID cards may pay an extra $100 fee to be allowed to grow up to six flowering plants. Two individuals with valid patient IDs in one household may grow up to twelve flowering plants; both patients will have to pay separate home cultivation fees. Since the law specifies a maximum number of flowering plants, an individual could theoretically have an unlimited number of plants in the vegitative stage.

Your patient application will also include the following if you plan to grow at home:

1. The address of the facility in which you will cultivate cannabis.
2. A description of the security arrangements and processes that will be used to restrict access to only qualifying patients and their primary caregivers.
3. If cultivation space will be shared with another patient: The name and patient licence number of that patient must also be provided.
4. A statement affirming your agreement to immediately make available access to your cultivation if the department requests an inspection and that your cultivation will take place in a secured and locked area.