Since Missouri legalized recreational cannabis in late 2022, the move has sparked ongoing discussions about its impact on neighboring Kansas, where the substance remains prohibited.
Two years on, the disparity in cannabis laws between the two states has raised concerns about potential legal and enforcement challenges for Kansas, especially regarding cross-border purchases and the subsequent legal implications for Kansas residents acquiring cannabis from Missouri.
So, Is marijuana legal in Kansas? Not yet. Will Kansas recreational marijuana ever come to fruition? Eventually, the state’s marijuana laws will have to catch up. As of 2024, legal cannabis in Kansas is not on the horizon.
But how can Kansas residents benefit from cannabis legalization in Missouri?
Elevate Holistics is here to answer your questions. Let’s get into how Missouri marijuana and Kansas relate and the regulations surrounding buying or traveling with cannabis out of state.
Is Marijuana Legal in Kansas?
As of 2024, Marijuana remains illegal in Kansas. Kansas legislation failed to pass medical cannabis in both 2021 and 2022.
Will the passing of Missouri marijuana influence Kansas recreational marijuana to pass in the future? Since Kansas has yet to enact a medical marijuana program, it will be quite some time before the state sees recreational cannabis.
Still, we hope that the benefits Missouri reaps from legalized cannabis will influence KS lawmakers.
Missouri Marijuana and Kansas
Now that weed is legal in Missouri, how will it affect Kansas? How do Missouri marijuana and Kansas relate? When a state recreationally legalizes cannabis, it’s bound to bring visitors from neighboring states in search of legal weed.
Can You Buy Medical Cannabis with an Out-of-State Card In Missouri?
According to Missouri’s DHSS, there is no reciprocity between Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Program and other state medical marijuana programs. MO law allows out-of-state patients to possess cannabis with legal protection but doesn’t allow them to purchase it. Only a handful of medical-only states accept MO medical cards.
Can Kansas Residents Get a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?
Well, it turns out there’s a loophole here—if you’re a Kansas resident, you may be able to get a hold of marijuana on one condition: you must have a Missouri medical card.
Missouri has recently updated its medical marijuana program to remove the residency requirement for obtaining a state medical marijuana card. Now, individuals seeking a medical marijuana card in Missouri only need to present a government-issued ID and demonstrate a qualifying medical condition without the need to prove Missouri residency.
Can You Buy Recreational Weed In Missouri With a Kansas ID?
Yes, you can buy recreational weed in Missouri with a Kansas ID, provided you are over the age of 21 and purchasing from a licensed dispensary in Missouri.
Missouri has legalized medical and recreational marijuana, allowing adults aged 21 and over to purchase cannabis. Dispensaries in Missouri are required to check the buyer’s age but do not restrict sales based on out-of-state IDs. Therefore, as long as your Kansas ID proves you are of legal age, you should be able to purchase marijuana in Missouri.
However, since weed is illegal in Kansas (and federally), it is illegal to bring cannabis into the landlocked state from Missouri or anywhere else. Unfortunately, a Missouri medical marijuana card won’t help your case if Kansas law enforcement catches you with cannabis.
What Happens If You Get Caught With Weed In Kansas?
Kansas law enforcement officials say they will arrest impaired or high drivers, but they don’t plan on waiting to stop people for cannabis once they cross the state line. This may not be the standard for all law enforcement in Kansas.
We suggest staying on the safe side of the law regarding marijuana in Kansas. The marijuana laws there impose varying penalties for possession, sale, distribution, cultivation, and paraphernalia. Here’s a concise summary:
Possession
- First offense: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail, $1,000 max fine.
- Second offense: Misdemeanor.
- 450 grams or more: Felony, 10 months to 42 months imprisonment, up to $100,000 fine.
Sale/Distribution
- Less than 25 grams: Felony, 14 to 51 months imprisonment, up to $300,000 fine.
- 25 to less than 450 grams: Felony, 46 to 83 months imprisonment, up to $300,000 fine.
- 450 grams to less than 30 kilograms: Felony, 92 to 144 months imprisonment, up to $500,000 fine.
- 30 kilograms or more: Felony, 138 to 204 months imprisonment, up to $500,000 fine.
- Within 1,000 feet of a school zone: Increased penalty level.
Cultivation
- 4 to less than 50 plants: Felony, 46 to 83 months imprisonment, up to $300,000 fine.
- 50 to less than 100 plants: Felony, 92 to 144 months imprisonment, up to $500,000 fine.
- 100 plants or more: Felony, 138 to 204 months imprisonment, up to $500,000 fine.
Paraphernalia
- For less than five plants: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail, $2,500 max fine.
- For five or more plants: Felony, 5 months probation to 17 months imprisonment, up to $100,000 fine.
- Sale of paraphernalia: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail, $2,500 max fine.
- Sale to a minor or near school: Felony, 5 months probation to 17 months imprisonment, up to $100,000 fine.
Miscellaneous
- CBD Exemption: Products with 0% THC are legal.
- Tax Stamp Law: Legal requirement to affix state-issued stamps to marijuana; failure to do so results in additional fines/criminal sanctions.
Can I Travel With Marijuana?
Traveling with recreational cannabis and crossing state borders goes under federal jurisdiction.
Since marijuana is federally illegal and classified as a controlled substance, traveling with marijuana is illegal – even across two states with legal marijuana. Typically, the amount of marijuana in your possession will determine the repercussions.
Can You Take Medical Marijuana Out Of State?
Traveling with legally obtained medical marijuana has the same regulations, and a medical marijuana card will not lessen the blow in states like Kansas.
We are not attorneys. Cannabis consumers can weigh the risks of traveling with cannabis themselves.
How Kansas Residents Can Benefit from Legal Weed in Missouri
In Kansas, both medical and recreational marijuana remain illegal, limiting access for residents, including those with medical needs.
Despite this, recent changes in Missouri’s medical marijuana laws present a nuanced situation. Missouri has removed the residency requirement for its medical marijuana program, allowing anyone with a government-issued ID and a qualifying medical condition to obtain a medical marijuana card. This adjustment enables individuals from neighboring states like Kansas and Kentucky to access Missouri’s medical cannabis, provided they meet the necessary criteria.
This development comes after the passage of Amendment III in the November 2022 election, which also increased possession and monthly purchase limits at dispensaries and extended the validity of medical cards from one year to three. While this opens up opportunities for Kansas residents to obtain medical cannabis in Missouri, it does not alter the federal prohibition on transporting marijuana across state lines.
Thus, while Missouri’s law changes offer a temporary solution for some Kansas residents, the overarching legal restrictions in Kansas and at the federal level continue to complicate access to cannabis, highlighting the need for legislative changes within Kansas itself.
Elevate Your Cannabis Lifestyle
The relationship between Missouri marijuana and Kansas residents will only get trickier as recreational marijuana in MO becomes available next year. Despite recent changes in law, now is the perfect time for Missouri residents to get their MMJ card.
Even though Missouri marijuana is legal, there are plenty of reasons to hold on to your medical marijuana card in the state. Lower costs at the dispensary, employee protection, higher purchase and possession limits – the list of perks goes on.
So, what’s the best way to get a Missouri medical card? This year, MO voters gave Elevate Holistics the title of Missouri’s best medical marijuana clinic.
Elevate Holistics virtually connects patients with certified physicians for medical cannabis approval. Our secure, fully online process has helped over 70,000 patients get their medical marijuana cards.
Book a doctor’s appointment with Elevate Holistics to get a medical cannabis recommendation today!
