In Missouri, adult-use marijuana is now a reality, with specific guidelines in place for purchase and possession. As of the latest regulations, individuals who are at least twenty-one years of age have the green light to purchase marijuana. There is a cap of up to 3 ounces on both the amount that can be bought in a single transaction and the quantity that can be held by consumers at any time. In the Show-Me State, adult-use marijuana transactions include a 6% state tax, on top of any local taxes that may apply.
The Division of Cannabis Regulation, operating under the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, oversees these regulations. They are reachable via a toll-free line Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm CST, or through email for general inquiries at [email protected]. Their headquarters are stationed at PO Box 570, Jefferson City MO 65102-0570.
Missouri’s stance on marijuana has evolved with Article XIV Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution, which aims to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adults over the age of twenty-one. This does not imply a free-for-all; recreational marijuana is distinct from decriminalization. Missouri continues to regulate cannabis strictly, especially when it comes to medical use, which is defined as cannabis with more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.
The Department of Health and Senior Services has been proactive in drafting emergency and proposed rules to enact Article XIV’s provisions, ensuring the medical marijuana industry is in compliance with Missouri law. In a landmark move, on November 8, 2022, Missouri approved Amendment 3, followed by the release of draft program rules. By December 8, 2022, the Department began accepting conversion requests from facilities for adult-use operations, with patient cards now valid for three years.
Furthermore, the Department has been instrumental in channeling funds from the medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission, marking a significant contribution to the state’s veterans.
For more detailed information on the regulation and taxation of marijuana in Missouri, including the complete adult-use timeline and emergency rules, please refer to the official Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
