Why I Support Missourians for a Single Market — A Patient & Caregiver Perspective
As someone who’s been helping Missouri patients navigate the medical marijuana card process since the very first day applications opened, I’ve seen firsthand where our laws help — and where they fall short.
That’s why I’m proud to be part of Missourians for a Single Market — a grassroots effort to reform Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution and finally bring fairness, freedom, and simplicity to Missouri’s cannabis and hemp laws.
This isn’t about big corporations or dispensary profits.
It’s about patients, caregivers, and home growers — the people who built this movement from the ground up.
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Filing the Petitions — Missouri Made
It was an honor to help with the filing of the four petitions that could finally unify Missouri’s cannabis and hemp markets. Each petition (Versions 141–144) shares the same patient- and caregiver-focused language — restoring rights, expanding access, and removing arbitrary barriers that have held our state back.
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Grassroots Collaboration
From long hours reviewing drafts to coordinating signatures statewide, this campaign is 100% Missouri-grown.
The work isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting patients, empowering caregivers, and ensuring no one loses access because of red tape or corporate control.
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What the Single Market Amendment Does
The proposed constitutional amendment replaces Missouri’s current cannabis rules with a unified system for marijuana and hemp, ensuring both are treated fairly under state law — similar to alcohol or tobacco.
Here’s what that means for patients and caregivers:
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🌿 1. Medical and Hemp Cards, Not “Recreational”
Missourians would have one type of card — valid for both medical marijuana and hemp use.
Patients could choose to get certified by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or, if lawmakers allow, self-certify their qualifying condition.
The best part?
Medical cards would last at least five years, with 10-year and lifetime options.
No more annual renewals or unnecessary recertifications.
Veterans and low-income patients could receive cards for free or at reduced cost.
Learn more in our Missouri Medical Cannabis Cards Guide.
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👩⚕️ 2. Caregiver Rights Strengthened
Caregivers are the backbone of Missouri’s medical program — parents helping children with seizures, family members assisting cancer patients, and friends supporting veterans or the elderly.
Under the Single Market Amendment:
Caregivers could legally purchase, transport, administer, or cultivate cannabis or hemp for their patients.
They’d be able to serve up to six patients (or more, if authorized later by law).
Caregivers for minors would still require parental consent and supervision, but without the fear of losing custody or facing discrimination.
It also ensures patient and caregiver information stays confidential, protected under HIPAA law.
You can also review Missouri’s current rules for patients, caregivers, and consumers.
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🌱 3. Home Growers Empowered — and Protected
For too long, Missouri’s home cultivators have faced unnecessary restrictions and uncertainty.
This proposal allows:
10 flowering plants, 10 nonflowering, and 10 clones per patient or caregiver.
Multiple patients to share a secure grow space — even outside their home.
Home cultivators to sell or exchange their harvest to licensed manufacturers or retailers once certified, helping small local growers enter the legal market.
This isn’t corporate cannabis — it’s community-based access and empowerment.
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💚 4. No License Caps — True Free Market Access
The amendment would remove all license caps for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations.
That means:
No more exclusive state lotteries or “limited slots” for a few big players.
Anyone who qualifies can apply, just like alcohol or tobacco businesses.
Hemp and cannabis businesses finally play by the same fair rules — no more artificial barriers blocking local entrepreneurs.
If you’re a business owner or aspiring operator, visit our Missouri Microbusiness License page for background on how the current system works.
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⚖️ 5. Legal Protections That Actually Protect
The amendment explicitly prohibits discrimination against lawful users.
That includes:
Parents in family court
Employees outside of work hours
Veterans using cannabis for medical care
Patients on probation or parole
It also guarantees that no one can be arrested, fired, or denied housing simply for lawful cannabis or hemp use.
For more on your existing protections, visit Family Protections and Probation & Parole.
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6. A Path to Expungement and Justice
All nonviolent marijuana and hemp convictions before August 28, 2027, would be automatically expunged — with retroactive release for those still incarcerated by January 1, 2030.
That’s a huge step toward fairness and justice for thousands of Missourians.
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How You Can Learn More
You can read the full text of each version of the proposal below (Versions 141 – 144 filed with the Missouri Secretary of State):
Version 141 – Transitional Tax Framework
Version 142 – Alcohol Parity Tax Model
Version 143 – Transitional Tax + Beverage Clause
Version 144 – Immediate Parity + Beverage Clause
All four petitions share identical patient and caregiver protections — the only differences are in the Taxation & Funding sections and the RSMo 311 beverage clause added in Versions 143 and 144.
For current Missouri law reference, see Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution.
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Final Thoughts
At its heart, this initiative isn’t just policy — it’s personal.
It’s about ensuring Missouri patients, caregivers, and small growers have the same freedom, dignity, and opportunity as anyone else in our state.
We’re building a Missouri market that’s fair, accessible, and rooted in compassion — not corporate control.
That’s why I’m proud to stand with Missourians for a Single Market.
Because every patient deserves access. Every caregiver deserves protection. And every Missourian deserves one market — not two systems divided by outdated laws.
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✅ Written by Debra Nash, Founder of Canna Answers LLC
📍 Serving patients and caregivers across Missouri with trusted cannabis consulting and education.