On November 6, 2018, 65% of Missouri voters passed Amendment 2, legalizing the medical use of marijuana for qualifying Missouri patients. Amendment 2 became Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, effective December 6, 2018, and granted the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) the authority and responsibility to create a well-regulated program to ensure the availability of and safe access to medical marijuana. Thus, the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation (SMMR) was created within DHSS to oversee the Medical Marijuana Regulatory Program (MMRP).
While some states allow both medical and recreational use of marijuana, Article XIV only authorizes the medical use of marijuana. Medical marijuana refers to any strain of cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol content of greater than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
Article XIV Section 1: Right to Access Medical Marijuana
The provisions for medical use of marijuana in Article XIV specifically allows:
- Missouri licensed physicians (MD and DO) the right to discuss medical marijuana with their patients.
- Physicians the right to recommend marijuana for medical purposes to patients with qualifying medical conditions.
- Patients the right to discuss medical marijuana with their physician and to use marijuana under the supervision of their physician.
SMMR’s Strategic Priorities
- Make medical marijuana accessible for qualifying patients in Missouri;
- Uphold safety and quality standards for medical marijuana; and
- Regulate the medical marijuana industry to comply with Missouri law and keep communities safe.