Missouri legalizes recreational marijuana

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Missouri legalizes recreational marijuana

It is now legal for adults to possess and use marijuana in Missouri.

It's not possible to legally buy it or use it everywhere.

Since 2018, the state has legalized medical marijuana, but this year voters approved a constitutional amendment that legalized the drug for people ages 21 and up.

Schools and businesses can still prohibit it, and applications for residents to grow their own won't be taken until January because dispensaries are not yet able to sell marijuana for recreational use.

There will eventually be a time when existing medical dispensaries will be allowed to sell to recreational users.

The state is expected to issue additional 144 dispensary licenses by early 2025.

As Missouri is bordered by eight states, only one of which enables recreational marijuana sales is allowed, dispensaries are expecting to see a lot of out-of-state buyers.

At the four campuses of the University of Missouri System, smoking marijuana on campuses and at university-sponsored events is still banned, and student violators can be disciplined up to expulsion.

The amendment requires the expungement of criminal records for most people incarcerated or on probation for misdemeanor marijuana offenses, a process that is expected to be completed by mid- 2023.

Missouri is the 21st state to allow recreational use.