Does chronic pain qualify for a medical card in Missouri?
Yes. The Missouri Medical Marijuana Program lists A chronic condition causing severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms (including those linked to MS, seizures, Parkinson's disease and Tourette's syndrome) as a qualifying condition. A Missouri-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About chronic pain
Stronger evidence. The National Academies found substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults. Most trials looked at neuropathic pain and measured modest reductions in pain scores, and many patients use cannabis to cut back on other medications.
Symptoms Missouri patients most often hope to ease:
- Persistent aching or burning pain
- Nerve pain such as tingling, shooting or electric sensations
- Pain that keeps you from sleeping
- Muscle tension and spasms
- Side effects or limited relief from current pain medicines
Read more: medical marijuana for chronic pain.
How to get certified in Missouri
- See a Missouri physician or nurse practitioner for a certification (telemedicine is allowed if it meets the standard of care).
- Submit your application within 30 days of the certification date through the DHSS online registry portal.
- Upload a legible government-issued photo ID and a clear color photo of your face.
- Pay the patient card fee, and add the cultivation authorization if you want to grow.
- Wait for DHSS to decide, which it must do within 30 days.
- Buy at licensed dispensaries with your patient ID card.
Missouri allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Missouri-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $28.92 (July 2026-June 2027 fee schedule)
- Card lasts: 3 years
- Processing: DHSS has 30 days to process patient and caregiver applications
- Patient limit: 60-day supply (12 oz of dried, unprocessed marijuana or equivalent); up to 90-day supply for patients with cultivation authorization, with the excess locked up
- Home grow: With a cultivation authorization ($57.83): 6 flowering plants, 6 non-flowering plants over 14 inches and 6 under 14 inches per patient, in an enclosed, locked facility
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Missouri cost breakdown and Missouri program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Missouri
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington's disease
- Migraines
- Neuropathy (nerve pain)
- PTSD
See every qualifying condition in Missouri
Chronic pain in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for chronic pain?
How long does certification take in Missouri?
Can I renew online in Missouri?
Sources
- DHSS - Cannabis Patient Services
- DHSS - Qualifying Medical Conditions
- DHSS - Patient & Consumer FAQs
- DHSS - Fee Schedule
- DHSS - Cultivation (Patient/Caregiver/Consumer)
- DHSS - General FAQs
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.