Recreational cannabis now legal in Missouri

Cannabis is now legal for adults in Missouri, although legal sale of recreational marijuana is months away. Missouri voters legalized adult-use cannabis by passing Amendment 3 in November’s midterm elections, joining 20 other states that have also ended bans on recreational cannabis.

Amendment 3, which received 53% of the vote in last month’s election, amends the Missouri constitution to legalize recreational marijuana for adults and strengthens the state’s existing medical marijuana program. The winning ballot measure officially went into effect Thursday, making the possession of up to three ounces of cannabis by adults age 21 and older legal under state law.

In 2014, state legislatures passed legislation decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis, and in 2018 Missouri voters approved an amendment vote to legalize medical marijuana in the state.

Missouri Rec sales next year

Under Amendment 3, the state’s existing medical marijuana dispensaries will be the first businesses licensed to sell recreational cannabis, which is expected to begin early next year. John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022, the group behind Amendment 3, said selling cannabis was only allowed “within the regulated system,” but he noted that simple possession of marijuana would be legal as of Thursday.

“The decriminalization aspects are not dependent on existing licensed sales,” Payne said.

The Missouri Department of Health and Seniors is currently preparing regulations to regulate the adult-use cannabis industry and will begin accepting applications for comprehensive retailers selling both medical and adult-use marijuana starting Saturday. The DHSS must begin issuing full licenses to current medical marijuana dispensaries by February 6 so that the regulated sale of adult-use cannabis in Missouri can begin at the earliest possible date.

In a statement, DHSS spokeswoman Lisa Cox reminded Missourians that it will be some time before the legal sale of recreational marijuana begins.

“It is just our obligation to regulate this program as best we can to keep people safe and healthy. That is our goal,” Cox said in a statement, adding that consumers should be familiar with Amendment 3 and its potential impact on individuals and communities.

Amendment 3 contains provisions to overturn some previous convictions related to cannabis. Under the measure, individuals with prior convictions on nonviolent marijuana-related charges will be reviewed by the courts, with qualified convictions scheduled to be expunged by June 8, 2023.

Although Amendment 3 legalizes cannabis for all adults age 21 and older, the University of Missouri’s system announced Wednesday that marijuana will remain banned on all four campuses.

“Possession and use of marijuana remain subject to many restrictions by both constitutional amendments and federal law,” the university system wrote in a statement. “Following a review of the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplaces Act, the University of Missouri system will continue to prohibit the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana on university property, university leasehold property, and part of university-sponsored property or university-supervised activities.”

Amendment improves medicinal cannabis program

Amendment 3 also includes provisions to improve Missouri’s existing medical marijuana program. Patients will see an increase in the monthly amount of cannabis they can legally purchase from licensed dispensaries from 4 ounces to 6 ounces. Additionally, medical marijuana patient ID cards are now valid for a three-year period, rather than being subject to an annual renewal requirement.

“Patient applications processed from this date (December 8) are valid for three years,” Cox said. “Current badge holders will retain their existing expiration dates, which will not change as a result of the passage of Amendment 3.”

Dan Viets, co-author of Amendment 3 and coordinator of the Missouri chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), highlighted the importance of legalizing cannabis in a statement from the cannabis advocacy group.

“December 8 is a historic date for Missourians,” Viets said. “Most of our state’s 20,000 annual marijuana arrests will end on that date. Instead, adults can legally own up to three ounces of cannabis and will soon be able to grow up to 18 plants or purchase cannabis products that have been tested for purity and potency by licensed retailers.”

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