Missouri Joins Growing List of States Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

On February 1, 2023, Missouri voters approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana.[0] This makes Missouri the latest state to join the growing list of states that have legalized or decriminalized the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. The bill includes punishments for growers who leave cannabis in an area where a person under 21 years old may gain access to it.[1]

Adults 21 and over in Missouri are now able to purchase up to three ounces of marijuana per transaction.[2] Additionally, adults may apply for a cultivator license, which will be granted unless good cause is shown to deny it.[2] Cultivation of marijuana plants must take place out of sight of the public, otherwise, cultivators are subject to a penalty of up to $250 and forced to surrender the plants.[2] Repeat offenses can result in a misdemeanor charge on the third violation.[2]

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri comes on the heels of a 2019 study that estimated approximately 18% of U.S. adults used marijuana that year. With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri, it is likely that this number will continue to grow in the future.

0. “Hyde Park cannabis producer to move after neighbor complaints …” www.vtcng.com, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.vtcng.com/news_and_citizen/news/local_news/hyde-park-cannabis-producer-to-move-after-neighbor-complaints/article_e6f85c4c-ae16-11ed-a56a-17b12a69bc95.html

1. “Homegrown cannabis bill introduced in Washington House | News …” www.khq.com, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.khq.com/news/homegrown-cannabis-bill-introduced-in-washington-house/article_dc29b520-a008-11ed-ac7c-bfdeeefcd325.html

2. “Recreational cannabis sales to start Feb. 6 | News …” www.thesalemnewsonline.com, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/news/article_f7c2618e-a17e-11ed-971b-3713c6fb8fa4.html