What would change for medical marijuana patients if Missouri legalizes recreational weed?

Marijuana is on Missouri’s midterm ballot, and some of our readers are wondering what the legalization of recreational marijuana would mean for medical marijuana patients.

Medical marijuana was legalized in Missouri in 2018 by nearly two-thirds of voters. The program was backed by the same groups that are pushing for the current ballot initiative to legalize recreational pot.

So how will this current effort to expand marijuana legalization impact the current medical marijuana program? Here’s a look at Amendment 3 and what it will mean for medical marijuana users in Missouri.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS VALID LONGER

Amendment 3 would lengthen the amount of time that medical marijuana cards issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services are good for. Currently, medical marijuana cards are good for one year, but if the initiative passes, they would be good for three years. The cost of medical marijuana cards will also remain at $25.

The same would be true for patient cultivation cards, which allow patients to grow their own weed at home. Cultivation cards currently last for one year, but if the amendment passes, the cards would be valid for three years. The cost of securing a cultivation card would also be cut in half, making it only $50 instead of $100.

[Read more at The Kansas City Star]