What You Need to Know About Getting an MMJ Card in Missouri

The increased popularity of medical marijuana has swiftly changed the tide of healthcare discourse in recent years. An ancient herbal remedy, marijuana has long been used to treat a range of symptoms and medical conditions.

Missouri is among the 39 states that offer legal access to marijuana for medical purposes. Patients that meet a few qualifying conditions can enjoy the healing benefits of this powerful medicinal plant. You can get a medical marijuana card in Missouri in just a few simple steps. Below, we’ll discuss all you need to know about getting a Missouri MMJ card.

What is an MMJ Card? Who Might Need It?

A medical marijuana card is a license given to patients who are eligible for treatment with weed. With an MMJ card, you can receive legal access to medical marijuana at local dispensaries in your state. But, before you begin searching for Missouri medical marijuana card services, it’s important to consider whether your condition is treatable with medical cannabis.

Which Conditions Can Marijuana Help Treat?

Cannabis has been used throughout history to alleviate a wide range of symptoms. Some disorders display remarkable responses to marijuana treatment. Most applicants for an MMJ card are patients suffering from chronic illnesses or autoimmune diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, to name a few.

In addition to physical ailments, a sizable percentage of medical marijuana sales are also attributed to patients struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. In several cases, veterans or those struggling with PTSD may apply for an MMJ card to treat their condition with marijuana.

A study published in 2008 revealed how THC, a naturally occurring chemical compound in marijuana, can relieve fear and anxiety. THC has been shown to modulate brain activity by reducing its reactivity to social signals of threats. This displays great potential for treating PTSD conditions with medical marijuana.

Three Steps to Get an MMJ Card in Missouri

Now that we’ve covered the uses of medical marijuana, let’s discuss how you can get an MMJ card in Missouri. The process of applying for an MMJ card in Missouri is simple and can be broken down into three main steps. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Check the Qualifying Conditions Applicable in Missouri

The first step is to check whether you meet the qualifying conditions for Missouri. In Missouri, you may apply for a medical marijuana card if you meet one or more of the following qualifying conditions applicable within the state:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Migraines that are unresponsive to other treatments
• Unrelenting pain or muscle spasms occurring due to a chronic medical condition (such as those caused by multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome)
• HIV/AIDS
• Any chronic medical condition that requires treatment via prescription medications (such as opioids), which may result in physical or psychological dependence
• A terminal illness
• Any other chronic or debilitating medical condition, such as:
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Autism
• Neuropathies
• Sickle cell anemia
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia
• Wasting syndrome

Step 2: Get Certified by a Missouri-Licensed Physician

The next step is attaining certification from a licensed doctor regarding your qualifying condition. Doing so is simple once you have located a physician who is in good standing within Missouri, and licensed by the state. Simply schedule an appointment to meet with the doctor and await approval to get certified for your qualifying condition.

Upon granting approval, your doctor will file a Physician Certification Form and share a copy with you after submitting it online.

Step 3: Register and Apply Online

After this, you’ll need to register as an applicant on the Complia application portal. By doing so, you’ll be able to log in to the portal to create an application and submit a “New Patient Registration.”

Remember, once your doctor files the Physician Certification Form, you will have 30 days to submit your application online. While your doctor will submit their form online through the application website, you will also need to attach a copy of the form through your application. The department usually takes 30 days to process all submitted applications, which are processed in the order in which they were received.

Things to Remember When Getting an MMJ Card in Missouri

While applying for an MMJ card online in Missouri is pretty straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind for special cases.

Step 4

Once you’ve been approved for a medical card, it’s time to find the right dispensary. Get started by looking for a dispensary near you. Missouri has specific guidelines, and amounts of marijuana (up to three ounces) patients can have at any given time. But dispensaries in Missouri also carry a wide range of unique products, from flowers to edibles to full plants. Search for a reputable dispensary online to get the most out of using your new medical card.

Applying for More Than the Standard Recommended Dose

In accordance with the prevailing possession laws in Missouri, an MMJ card grants you access to a standard recommended dose – which is four ounces of weed per month. But if a patient requires more than this standard dose, they must submit two copies of the Alternative Physician Certification Form.

Both copies of this form will need to indicate certification for the same qualifying medical condition, and should be filed by two separate physicians. The recommended amounts of medical marijuana prescribed by each physician will be compared. If the two doses are inconsistent, the patient will receive access to the lesser of the two amounts.

Applying as a Caregiver for Minors

Patients below the age of 18 may also apply for an MMJ card but will need to submit aParent/Legal Guardian Consent Form along with their application. In such a case, the application submitted online will be a Caregiver’s Application. Of course, it isn’t legal for caregivers to use medical marijuana for themselves.

Choosing the Right Consumption Method

Once you receive your Missouri MMJ Card, you can access medical marijuana through state dispensaries, and consume it in several conventional and unconventional forms. While the options are endless, it may take some time before you arrive at the consumption method that best suits you and your needs. Below are some ways you can consume marijuana:

• Edibles

Edibles are a popular form of consuming medical marijuana due to the discretion and convenience of administering it through your favorite foods or candy. If you’re new to the healing world of medical marijuana, consider researching how to make edibles and consult your doctor for help with dosage. You can bake weed into brownies or even purchase cannabis gummies from your local dispensary.

• Inhalation

Smoking medical marijuana is the most common method of consumption. While it offers a quicker onset time, it has also been suggested to deliver more effective results. However, if you handle heavy machinery or are a parent of young children, it’s important to learn how to medicate with marijuana safely to avoid harming those around you.

• Cannabis Coffee Pods

Coffee lovers can rejoice because medicating with cannabis just became revolutionary. With the upcoming introduction of special cannabis coffee pods in Missouri, patients can now integrate this natural remedy into their morning routine and safely medicate in an unconventional yet discreet way through a comforting cup of joe.

After successfully acquiring your medical marijuana card, you’re all set to benefit from the healing power of cannabis. The rule of thumb when medicating with marijuana is to start slow and learn as you go. It’s important to listen to your body and understand how it responds to different dosages and consumption methods.

Most importantly, avoid interruptions to your treatment by remembering to renew your MMJ card before its expiry date so you can continue your journey on the road to recovery.