Missouri history was made this November when recreational marijuana laws in MO passed with 53% of voters in favor of Amendment 3. So, is weed legal in Kansas City, Missouri now?
Let’s talk about it.
Overview of Marijuana Laws in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, has seen significant changes in its marijuana laws over the past few years. In 2018, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2, which legalized medical marijuana, allowing patients with qualifying conditions to access medicinal cannabis.
Fast forward to 2022, and Amendment 3 was passed, legalizing recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over.
This means that both medical and recreational marijuana are now legal in Kansas City, but the city has its own set of regulations governing their use, possession, and sales.
These local laws ensure that while residents can enjoy the benefits of legal cannabis, they must do so within the framework of the law.
Is Weed Legal In Kansas City, Missouri Yet?
Yes! Both medical cannabis and recreational marijuana are legal in Missouri, with dispensaries able to sell all kinds of products on their shelves.
On top of having fully legal weed, the new medicinal marijuana bill also approved at-home cultivation.
That’s right: patients can register to grow their own cannabis in Kansas City! State laws are required to begin accepting applications for personal cultivation by February 6, 2023.
According to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), weed dispensaries in Kansas City, Missouri (and the rest of the state) are expected to open their doors sometime in February 2023.
If you’re wondering how to find weed in Kansas City, the only way to currently do so is by using your medical marijuanas card at Kansas City medical dispensaries.
If you don’t have a Missouri medical marijuana card, you won’t find a weed dispensary in Kansas City you can walk into and purchase your favorite cannabis products.
That said, legal marijuana dispensaries in Kansas City, Missouri should be open to the general public early next year.
Marijuana Possession Laws
In Kansas City, Missouri, marijuana possession laws are straightforward yet strict. Adults aged 21 and over can legally possess up to 3 ounces of recreational marijuana.
For those with a medical marijuana card, the limit is higher, allowing possession of up to 6 ounces of medical marijuana. However, it’s crucial to remember that these laws apply only within Missouri.
Crossing into Kansas with marijuana, even if legally purchased in Missouri, can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as Kansas law does not permit marijuana possession.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Marijuana
Driving under the influence of marijuana is a serious offense in Kansas City, Missouri. The city enforces a zero-tolerance policy for DUI of marijuana, meaning any detectable level of impairment can result in significant penalties.
These can include hefty fines, imprisonment, and the loss of driving privileges.
Law enforcement officers are trained to detect marijuana impairment through various methods, such as field sobriety tests and blood tests.
It’s essential for cannabis users to understand that while marijuana use is legal, driving under its influence is not and can have severe legal consequences.
Public Use of Marijuana
While marijuana use is legal in Kansas City, Missouri, public consumption is not.
Individuals caught using marijuana in public places can face penalties, including fines and imprisonment. However, the city does allow marijuana use in certain designated areas, such as private residences and licensed dispensaries.
This means that while you can enjoy your cannabis products at home or in specific venues, lighting up in public parks, streets, or other communal areas is strictly prohibited.
The Future Of Weed In Kansas City: Efforts to Legalize Medical Marijuana
Now that recreational cannabis laws in Missouri have passed, the future of weed in Kansas City looks promising.
While Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says not to expect the city to have “a giant weed smoking area,” he does see Kansas City implementing a “cigar shop” approach to cannabis consumption.
This would allow individual shops and venues to adopt their own individual use policies.
There’s also a “cannabis entertainment district” in the works just outside the city along the Missouri River.
Just days after recreational weed was legalized in Missouri, the Besa Hospitality Group of Gladstone, Missouri announced they would be opening “Smokey River Entertainment District”.
Scheduled to open on April 20, 2023, it will serve residents in the Kansas City metro district.
People will be able to freely consume cannabis in some of the areas of this multi-million dollar entertainment venue which will include an amphitheater, festival grounds, corporate event sites, wedding spots, food and drink sites, and two indoor entertainment venues.
According to CEO of the Besa Hospitality Group, Jack Mitchell, “This is an incredible opportunity for ALL communities. More than amphitheater and entertainment venues, this facility will help us develop the region’s music, hospitality, cannabis and culture economies together.”
So not only is weed legal in Kansas City, Missouri, the future of legal weed in the Heart of America looks promising.
Keeping Your Missouri Medical Card
If weed in Kansas City is going to be legal soon, why should you get your MO medical marijuana card? Is there really that big of a difference between recreational and medical marijuanas in Kansas City, Missouri, and the rest of the state?
While there is absolutely zero difference in the actual weed itself, cannabis for sale in Kansas City will be cheaper at any weed dispensary in Kansas City if you have your medical card.
It all comes down to taxes on medical vs. recreational marijuana in Missouri.
Where recreational consumers can expect to pay 6-9% tax on marijuana products, MMJ patients will still only pay 4% on every purchase of medical cannabis products.
Medical patients will also be able to walk into any weed dispensary in Kansas City and purchase more cannabis than adult-use customers.
Medical marijuana cardholders can purchase up to 6 ounces of cannabis products per month under new recreational cannabis laws in MO.
Recreational consumers are only allowed up to 3 ounces every 30 days.
How Elevate Holistics Can Help You Make The Most Of Legal Weed In Kansas City
At Elevate Holistics, we want your legal weed experience in Kansas City to be the best it can possibly be. Whether looking for dispensaries near Kansas City or in the heart of the city itself, Missouri residents deserve access to the highest quality, legal cannabis products.
Even though recreational weed is now legal in Missouri, medical marijuana patients don’t have to pay as much for their products.
Patients can easily get their hands on top-shelf weed at lower prices than ever before simply because of their patient status.
At the end of the day, the cannabis plant offers a variety of products, and having a medical card ensures you get the best selection and quality — every time.
See for yourself the benefits of having a medical marijuana card in Kansas City and get approved online in minutes.
And don’t forget to use the code BLOG5 at checkout to enjoy a specific discount that only medical use patients can use.
