Cannabis advocacy groups in Missouri are raising concerns about state regulations that restrict how much medical marijuana patients can purchase from licensed dispensaries. According to Missouri law, dispensaries must monitor the amount of medical marijuana sold to patients to ensure they do not exceed their legal limits.
As outlined on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website, patients who reach their purchase limit cannot buy marijuana as recreational consumers. The website states, “… patient ID card holders are not allowed to purchase as a consumer in a licensed dispensary.” This regulation aims to help patients and consumers remain within their legal possession limits.
Medical marijuana patients in Missouri are allowed a maximum of 6 ounces of dried, unprocessed marijuana every 30 days. In contrast, recreational consumers can buy up to 3 ounces daily but cannot possess more than that amount at any time. The state cannot track purchases made by individuals without patient ID cards unless they provide consent.
Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Marijuana Trade Association, expressed his concerns in an April letter to the Division of Cannabis Regulation, arguing that the current policy is unconstitutional. He stated, “We believe that DCR’s interpretation that a Missourian must either be an adult-use consumer or a medical patient is neither good public policy nor a constitutionally sound interpretation.”
This stance contradicts earlier communications from the Division of Cannabis Regulation. In February 2023, shortly after recreational marijuana sales commenced in Missouri, the division informed industry members that patients aged 21 and older would also be able to purchase cannabis products as consumers. However, spokesperson Lisa Cox later clarified that the February email was erroneous and acknowledged that the final rules on recreational cannabis only took effect in August 2023.
“The department has received and reviewed the correspondence from MoCann Trade regarding the communication that was sent in error,” Cox stated. She noted that the division has engaged with MoCann Trade to address their issues and is currently reviewing the policies in question.
Brennan England, Missouri state director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana, advocates for a coordinated effort to repeal the purchasing restrictions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring access and affordability for minority communities, noting, “Restricting patient purchasing power disrupts care, deepens mistrust, and locks out those who moved first with the most at stake.”
England, a long-time medical cannabis patient, played a key role in advocating for medical marijuana reform in Missouri since 2014. He founded the St. Louis Cannabis Club and opened The Cola Lounge, the state’s first private cannabis consumption venue, in August 2019 when protections for patients became effective.
He believes that the current policy disproportionately impacts minority communities and calls for a collaborative approach to reform. England suggests convening a “joint policy briefing” involving division leaders, affected patients, licensed operators, and legal advisors. He insists that the regulatory process must include genuine conversations with individuals who have experienced delays or denials in care due to these restrictions.
“Beyond policy, we need a strategy that humanizes the process,” England said. “Real conversations allow regulators to hear firsthand from patients and communities affected. A briefing is one thing, but sitting across from someone impacted by this rule creates an understanding that data alone cannot provide.”
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