Missouri Adjusts Cannabis Regulations for Foster Parents

LOS ANGELES– In a significant policy move, Missouri’s Department of Social Services has allowed foster parents in the state to legally possess and cultivate cannabis. The emergency rule, put in place last week, aligns the state’s foster care system with Amendment 3, the mandate passed by Missouri voters in November 2022, which legalized and regulated cannabis for adults aged 21 and over.

However, this newfound allowance for foster parents comes with stipulations. For the safety and well-being of children, cannabis must be stored securely, much like prescription medications, alcohol, or matches, ensuring it remains out of their reach. Additionally, any form of cannabis consumption that emits smoke or vapor remains prohibited inside the home, thereby mandating users to partake outdoors.

The regulation is comprehensive for those keen on cultivation as well. Any foster parent wishing to grow cannabis must ensure that it is undertaken in an “enclosed, locked facility,” adhering to the law’s specifics.

Missouri’s pivotal decision to amend the law is driven by its commitment to reconciling existing “physical and environmental standards” for foster care with Amendment 3. The official document states, “Rule 13 CSR 35-60.040 presently provides that foster parents shall not use or possess marijuana or marijuana-infused products. A regulation that conflicts with the Missouri Constitution is invalid.” As of now, this emergency rule will remain valid until February 23, 2024.

Caitlin Whaley, spokesperson for Social Services, emphasized the underlying motive of these alterations: safeguarding foster children from potential harm. “This is to protect the foster child from the hazards of second-hand smoke,” Whaley conveyed.

A study from the University of Mississippi last year adds a new dimension to this conversation. The research indicates that cannabis legalization correlates with at least a 10% decrease in foster care admissions. Furthermore, this study, featured in the journal Economic Inquiry, surmised that nationwide cannabis legalization might alleviate the fiscal strain on the foster care system by roughly $675 million annually.

While Missouri progresses with its cannabis regulations, questions around transparency and efficiency loom large. The state’s rapidly growing cannabis sector, projected to breach the $1 billion threshold, has invited scrutiny from both state and federal entities. State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick remarked on the unprecedented changes the cannabis amendments bring, stating they are “some of the most substantial changes we’ve seen to our state constitution in recent memory.”

As the legal landscape for cannabis continues to evolve in Missouri, ensuring the welfare of its youngest and most vulnerable remains paramount.