MIssouri Medical Patients

Missouri’s medical cannabis market has been growing rapidly since its legalization in 2018. The state currently has over 133,000 medical cannabis patients, with more than 9,000 caregivers and over 2,000 licensed medical cannabis businesses. The state’s medical cannabis program allows patients with qualifying medical conditions to access medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

Medical Cannabis Patients in Missouri

Medical cannabis patients in Missouri must have a qualifying medical condition to be eligible for medical cannabis treatment. These conditions include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others. Patients must be evaluated by a certified physician who can recommend medical cannabis treatment. After receiving a recommendation, patients can apply for a medical cannabis card from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Medical Cannabis Card Holders in Missouri

Medical cannabis card holders in Missouri are able to access medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries in the state. There are currently over 170 licensed dispensaries in Missouri, with more expected to open in the near future. Card holders can purchase medical cannabis in a variety of forms, including flower, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. The amount of medical cannabis that a patient can purchase and possess is limited by state law.

Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Missouri Patients

Medical cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of medical conditions. Research has shown that medical cannabis can help alleviate symptoms associated with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many other conditions. Medical cannabis can also help reduce the use of opioids and other potentially addictive medications, which can be beneficial for patients with chronic pain or other conditions.

In addition to its therapeutic benefits, medical cannabis can also provide economic benefits to the state. The medical cannabis industry has created thousands of jobs in Missouri, and has generated millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state.

Challenges Facing Missouri’s Medical Cannabis Market

While the medical cannabis market in Missouri has been growing rapidly, there are still challenges facing the industry. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of access to banking services for medical cannabis businesses. Many banks are hesitant to work with medical cannabis businesses due to the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug.

Another challenge facing the medical cannabis market in Missouri is the high cost of medical cannabis. While medical cannabis is legal in the state, it is not covered by insurance, which can make it difficult for patients with limited financial resources to access treatment.

Despite these challenges, the medical cannabis market in Missouri continues to grow and provide much-needed relief to patients with qualifying medical conditions. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more innovations and developments in medical cannabis treatment options.