Navigating Missouri’s Cannabis Growing Laws: What Home Growers Need to Know

Growing cannabis at home in Missouri can be a deeply rewarding way to manage your medical condition—and reclaim control over your medicine. But before you pop those seeds, it’s crucial to understand the legal framework that surrounds home cultivation in the Show-Me State. From plant limits to storage requirements, Missouri’s cannabis laws are detailed and specific—and violating them could land you in legal hot water.

This guide breaks down the current rules for home growing under Missouri’s medical marijuana program and provides helpful insights so you can grow safely, confidently, and legally.

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Who Can Legally Grow Cannabis at Home in Missouri?

Home cultivation is legal only for registered medical marijuana patients and their designated caregivers. Recreational home grow is not permitted in Missouri as of now.

Basic Eligibility:

• You must be 18 or older.

• You must have an active Missouri Medical Marijuana Patient Card.

• You must apply separately for a cultivation license and pay the additional fee.

• The cultivation license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually with your patient card.

If you’re a caregiver growing for a patient, you’ll need a caregiver cultivation license tied to your assigned patient.

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Missouri Cannabis Plant Limits

Missouri law allows for tiered plant counts based on how many licensed individuals reside at a single address.

For a single licensed patient:

• 6 flowering plants (plants with visible buds)

• 6 non-flowering plants (in the vegetative state)

• 6 clones (plants under 14 inches tall)

For two licensed patients in the same home:

• You may grow up to 12 flowering, 12 non-flowering, and 12 clones.

• A caregiver can grow for up to two patients, but still cannot exceed the above limits per household.

Pro Tip: Label your plants by category and patient name (if applicable) to stay compliant during inspections.

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Where You Can Grow: Location Requirements

You must grow your plants:

• At your primary residence, or a caregiver’s registered address.

• Indoors or in a locked, enclosed outdoor facility.

• Out of public view—plants must not be visible from sidewalks, streets, or neighboring yards.

Secure Grow Setup:

• Indoor grows must be locked and inaccessible to anyone not licensed.

• Outdoor grows must be fully enclosed with a 6-foot fence, locked gate, and opaque walls or barriers.

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Staying Compliant: Storage, Transport, and Inspections

Storage:

• All harvested cannabis must be stored at the cultivation site in a secure location.

• Keep your dried product locked and labeled.

Transport:

• You are not allowed to transport live plants under any circumstance.

• Transporting dried product is legal within possession limits, but keep it sealed and out of reach while driving.

Inspections:

• The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) may conduct inspections without prior notice.

• Be ready to show proof of licensure, plant count compliance, and security measures.

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Common Mistakes That Could Get You in Trouble

1. Exceeding plant counts. Even if plants are small or dying, they count toward your total.

2. Letting others access your grow. Only licensed individuals can be in the grow area.

3. Growing in view of the public. Even partial visibility is considered a violation.

4. Skipping renewal deadlines. Expired cards or cultivation licenses invalidate your grow rights.

5. Growing at multiple addresses. Your grow must occur at the address listed on your license.

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HomeGrow Helpline is Missouri’s go-to source for patient-centered cannabis cultivation guidance. Whether you're troubleshooting your first grow tent, choosing nutrients, or double-checking your legal setup—we’re here to help you do it right.