How Many Cannabis Plants Can Medical Patients Grow in Missouri? (2026)

Missouri

Dr. Erick Kaufman, MD

19 Jun 2026 • 2 min read

How Many Cannabis Plants Can Medical Patients Grow in Missouri? (2026)

Some patients consider home cultivation because it may provide more control over their cannabis supply, although growing requires upfront costs, time, and ongoing maintenance.

However, home cultivation also requires time, space, equipment, and regular care and maintenance. Growing cannabis successfully means managing lighting, temperature, humidity, pests, and harvest schedules. For some patients, that level of involvement is worthwhile. Others find that dispensary products provide more convenience and consistency.

If home cultivation is something you're considering, Missouri allows qualified medical cannabis patients to grow cannabis legally with the appropriate authorization.

Examples of Combined Plant Limits for Approved Cultivators

Missouri patients who receive a Patient Cultivation Authorization may grow:

6 flowering plants
6 non-flowering plants
6 clones (under 14 inches tall)

The authorization allows a combination of up to 6 flowering plants, 6 non-flowering plants, and 6 clones for each authorized cultivator, subject to Missouri regulations.

Scenario	Flowering Plants	Non-Flowering Plants	Clones
One medical patient	6	6	6
Two patients at the same location	12	12	12
Patient and licensed caregiver at the same location	18	18	18

Additional authorized cultivators at the same location may increase allowable cultivation limits.Total plant limits depend on the number of approved cultivation authorizations associated with the residence and must comply with Missouri DHSS regulations.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Home Cultivation Rules

Patients who grow cannabis at home must follow Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) regulations.

Key requirements include:

Cannabis must be grown in an enclosed, locked facility.
Plants cannot be visible from public areas.
All flowering plants must be labeled with the cultivator's name.
Patients cannot grow cannabis for another person unless they are that individual's licensed caregiver.
Patients with cultivation authorization may possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis they have cultivated, subject to Missouri regulations.

Is a Medical Card Worth It for Home Growers in Missouri?

Missouri also allows adults 21 and older to grow cannabis for personal use after obtaining a state-issued cultivation registration.

Feature	Medical Patient	Adult-Use Consumer
Minimum age	18+	21+
Cultivation license duration	3 years	1 year
Dispensary purchase limit	Up to 6 ounces of dried cannabis (or the equivalent) every 30 days	3-ounce possession limit
Dispensary tax rate	4%	6%

How to Get a Missouri Home Cultivation License

Growing cannabis legally as a medical patient requires a Patient Cultivation Authorization in addition to your Missouri medical marijuana card.

The process includes:

Complete a telehealth evaluation with a licensed Missouri physician.
Obtain physician certification for a qualifying condition.
Submit your application through the Missouri DHSS MyComplia portal.
Pay the required state registration and cultivation fees.
Wait for approval from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Most applications are processed within 30 days. Patients should keep a copy of their cultivation authorization available at the cultivation site if requested by law enforcement or state inspectors.

How Doctors of Cannabis Can Help

Doctors of Cannabis connects Missouri patients with licensed physicians through our telehealth partner network. If you're considering home cultivation, obtaining a medical cannabis card is the first step toward applying for a Patient Cultivation Authorization.

FAQs

Do I Need A Separate Cultivation Authorization To Grow Cannabis In Missouri?

Yes. A Patient Cultivation Authorization is a separate application from your Patient ID card. It is applied for through the Missouri DHSS MyComplia portal. Without it, home cultivation is not permitted even with a valid patient card.

Can Two People Combine Their Home Grow Limits In Missouri?

Yes. If each person has their own approved cultivation authorization and they live at the same address, their allowable plant counts may be combined under Missouri regulations.

What Is The Difference Between Growing With A Medical Card Vs Adult Use Cultivation License In Missouri?

Medical and adult-use cannabis programs have different tax structures and regulatory requirements.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Missouri Cultivation License?

DHSS processes applications within 30 days. The cultivation authorization is valid for 3 years for medical patients and renewed alongside the Patient ID card through the MyComplia portal.