Since legalizing the use of medical marijuana in November 2018, Missouri has issued over 100,000 medical marijuana cards. Many residents may wonder how to get a medical marijuana card in Missouri. The process requires three basic steps for eligible patients: physician approval, online registration, and online application through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Patient Eligibility
Legal residents of Missouri who are 18 or older must have a qualifying condition in order to be eligible for a Missouri medical marijuana card. Qualifying conditions include:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Terminal illness
- Migraines that are unresponsive to other treatments
- Human immunodeficiency disease or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- A chronic medical condition that causes severe persistent pain or muscle spasms, including, but not limited to multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s Disease, and Tourette’s Syndrome
- A chronic psychiatric condition, as documented by a state-licensed psychiatrist, including, but not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder
- A chronic medical condition for which a physician determines medical marijuana to be a safer treatment than traditional prescription medication
- Any other chronic medical condition in which a physician determines medical marijuana to be a treatment for symptoms. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Hepatitis C
- Crohn’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Autism
- Neuropathies
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Wasting syndrome
- Cachexia
Having a past conviction does not disqualify a patient from receiving a Missouri medical marijuana card; however, if a patient or caregiver is convicted after the card has been issued, the card may be revoked.
Patients under the age of 18 may apply but will need to submit the Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form.
How to Apply
All medical marijuana applications will be submitted online through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website. Patients will need to provide:
- Legal name, date of birth, social security number
- Physical address and email address
- Proof of Missouri residency (driver’s license, state-issued ID, motor vehicle registration, utility bill)
- A government-issued photo ID
- A recent photograph of the patient with his or her face clearly visible
- An attestation statement (a written declaration that affirms identity)
- Parent/Legal Guardian Consent form (for unemancipated minors)
- $25 state application fee
- Optional: Patients may choose to include information about social services received through the state of Missouri, such as low-income assistance programs.
- Optional: Indicate that the patient is seeking permission to cultivate medical marijuana
Physician Approval Forms
Patients will need to have a Physician Certification Form completed by a licensed MD or DO. The MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) must be in good standing with the state of Missouri. The Physician Certification Form needs to be completed within 30 days of submitting the application. The form may be photographed or scanned in order to be submitted electronically. Electronic forms are now available for verified physicians. Releaf Clinics offers top-rated customer service and streamlined qualification appointments with certified medical marijuana doctors. Book an appointment today and get the relief you deserve.
Approved patients will be allowed four ounces of medical marijuana per month. For those requiring more than the standard allotment, two Alternative Physician Approval Forms will need to be submitted. The forms must be completed by two different physicians, and both forms need to include the same qualifying condition. If there is a discrepancy between the amounts listed on the two forms, the lesser amount will be granted.
Online Registration
After obtaining the proper forms and identification documents, patients will need to register on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website. The online registration is completed through the Complia Application Portal. If a message displays “Warning: Exiting Site,” click “Yes” to continue. Complete the registration process.
Online Application
Once a patient has registered, the application can be completed. Login to the Complia Application Portal and click “+Create Application” then click “New Patient Application.”
Applications are processed in the order they are received and may take up to 30 days to process.
Caregivers
Caregivers are designated persons who manage the well-being of medical marijuana patients. In order to apply to be a caregiver, the applicant must be at least 21 years old.
Patients may have up to two caregivers. However, caregivers are allowed to manage up to three qualified patients. Qualifying patients will need to fill out an authorization form to designate a caregiver. There is an additional $25 fee to designate a caregiver, and that form can be submitted along with the initial application. Caregiver applicants will need the approved patient’s license number (this begins with the letters PAT).
Renewing Your Medical Marijuana Card
Renewal reminders will be sent to the email address provided on the application. Reminders will be sent 60, 45, 30, and 15 days before the card expires. The renewal window is no sooner than 60 days before expiration and no longer than 30 days before. If the renewal is submitted in the 30-day window before expiration, it will still be accepted, but there is no guarantee that it will be processed before the expiration date.
Releaf Clinics will track and send the patient appointment reminders each year for their renewal. Let us help you ensure that your license is always current.
Need More Help?
Although the process for applying for a medical marijuana card in Missouri is fairly simple, potential patients and caregivers may still have questions. Releaf Clinics are here to assist in the process. Book an appointment, visit one of our certified medical marijuana physicians, and fill out your application. We have a 100% risk-free policy: if you aren’t approved, you don’t pay! Our services are safe, discreet and HIPAA compliant.
Sources:
https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/how-to-apply-pi.php