Medical cannabis is available in Missouri to help individuals suffering from certain qualifying medical conditions and symptoms. A medical marijuana card is available through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which allows you or a designated caregiver to buy and use cannabis legally.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Over the past several years, more people have been turning to plant-based medicine. Cannabis is a potent plant that contains over 500 naturally occurring chemical compounds. The blend of phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other nutrients provides medical benefits.
How Does Medical Cannabis Work?
In the early 1990s, scientists confirmed the existence of a complex cell-signaling system in the body of all mammals. This system, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), works with neurotransmitters to deliver messages throughout your body.
Experts believe the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating mood, sleep patterns, eating habits, memory, and immune system. This intricate system of cells helps control pain sensations, manage depression and anxiety, stimulate the appetite, and maintain healthy nerve function.
The ECS includes cannabinoid receptors, internal cannabinoids, and enzymes. Cannabinoid receptors allow both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids to interact with your cells. The internal cannabinoids are like those found in cannabis, but your body produces them.
There two must-studied cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. These receptors bind with cannabinoids and influence your body’s response to pain, memory function, and other processes.
The enzymes break down the cannabinoids after they’ve completed their task. Enzymes include FAAH and MAGL, which break down anandamide and 2-AG.
Doctors prescribe medical cannabis because it can help treat conditions and manage symptoms in the areas influenced by the ECS.
You can learn more about how medical cannabis can help your specific condition or symptoms by visiting our qualifying conditions page.
How Do I Qualify for a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?
In 2020, the Show-Me State legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes. To get your medical marijuana card in Missouri, you will need a recommendation from an approved physician. The Department of Health and Senior Services provides all available information online for fast access.
The information necessary to complete the application includes:
- Proof of Missouri residence
- Physician certification form
- State or federal picture ID
- Recent picture from the past three months
Patients under 18 need a parent or legal guardian’s consent. They also require a registered caregiver to purchase and administer the cannabis.
Qualifying Conditions
You can get your Missouri medical marijuana card for more than a dozen specific diseases and symptoms. For more information on what qualifies you, consult with our list here.
However, the state allows the doctor to make the last call. The law allows for any “other chronic, debilitating, or other medical conditions” that cannabis may ease.
Are you ready to start the process of getting your medical marijuana card in Missouri today? Book an appointment through the link at the bottom of our page to meet with one of our qualified physicians.
Sources:
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60172-6
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/
- https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/how-to-apply-pi.php
- https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/pdf/application-checklist.pdf
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