The passing of Amendment 2 in November of 2018 legalized the use of medical marijuana in Missouri. Since medical marijuana only became legal last year, Missouri is still in the process of opening dispensaries. It is estimated that 192 dispensaries are expected to open by 2020 with 24 in each of Missouri’s congressional districts. In fact, dispensaries could be coming soon to Springfield. Outland Ballroom announced that they are planning to turn a section of their bar into a dispensary.

“We are in the process of putting in a state application for this location. We received a Medical Marijuana Location Zoning Verification from the City of Springfield,” Outland’s owners said via social media in June. The official application process started on Aug. 3, but the state will have until Dec. 31 to award a business licenses. Dispensaries in Missouri are expected to begin operating in Spring of 2020.

But before patients will be able to purchase from dispensaries in Missouri, they must first sign up for a medical marijuana card. Lindsay Duede, a Drury University student, helps people register for Flora Wellness. Her main role is assisting patients with the application process after they have been given a prescription by their doctor. 

When asked about her role in helping people, she said, “Sometimes it’s as simple as offering them access to the internet to fill out the online application.” 

Despite marijuana becoming legal for medical purposes, there is still a stigma that surrounds its use. Duede commented on the difficulty of being accepted into programs like Flora Wellness stating, “The difficulty of being accepted depends on the area of the state. Springfield is a big challenge because of federal funding.”

According to Missouri’s Amendment, two patients per household will be able to purchase up to four ounces of cannabis each month or grow up to six plants in their home. Though medical marijuana is prescribed to patients with cancer, chronic pain and other health conditions, health insurance does not cover medical marijuana, and patients pay out of pocket anywhere from $20 to $60 per one eighth of an ounce.

Article by Marissa Mayfield