Marijuana laws are changing quickly across the United States. While the substance used to be illegal in all states and at the federal level, states have begun to legalize it for both medical and recreational use. It’s quite important for people to know how the laws differ from one state to the next.
First and foremost, it’s important to point out that Missouri passed a recreational cannabis law in late 2022. Sales didn’t start until the next year, in February 2023. But it is legal for people to go to dispensaries and purchase marijuana products for recreational use, as long as those dispensaries are properly licensed and the individuals are 21 years old or older. In creating this law, Missouri joined states like Colorado, Michigan and California in offering recreational marijuana options.
Can you take marijuana out of the state?
One important thing to note is that you cannot take marijuana out of the state. Even if it was legally purchased in Missouri, it can’t be transported to another state – such as Nebraska, which does not have recreational marijuana laws.
The issues here are twofold. First of all, entering a state without recreational marijuana laws is a violation of those local laws. The purchase may have been legal at the dispensary in Missouri, but that does not change the laws in another state in the slightest.
Additionally, the federal government hasn’t legalized marijuana yet, so crossing state lines with it in your possession is illegal. Doing so, whether by plane or by car, would make it a violation of federal law.
If you do get arrested on drug charges in Missouri, it is crucial that you understand all of your criminal defense options.