Balancing Care And Consumption: Missouri Issues Foster Parent Cannabis Guidelines

Missouri's 14,000+ foster parents are now permitted to possess marijuana within their homes following an emergency rule issued by the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Cannabis Use Around Foster Children

However, the rule maintains that smoking cannabis inside residences or vehicles is still prohibited when foster children are present. The regulation requires foster parents to consume marijuana outside their homes and avoid doing so while transporting foster children.

Foster parents who wish to grow marijuana for personal use must keep the cultivation operation securely locked. The rule change comes in response to the legalization of adult recreational marijuana sales in Missouri, approved by voters in November 2022.

Regulatory Shifts For Child Safety

These adjustments to state laws and policies were mandated to align with the legalization of cannabis for residents over 21.

The regulatory shifts were prompted by an amendment's provision, ensuring alignment with the Missouri Constitution and prioritizing the protection of foster children from second-hand smoke hazards.

“This is to protect the foster child from the hazards of second-hand smoke. Foster parents may smoke marijuana and tobacco outside the premises but not in a vehicle while transporting a foster child and not in the presence of a foster child,” said Social Services spokeswoman Caitlin Whaley.

Exceptions For Foster Parents

• Foster parents are prohibited from using substances, including marijuana, in a way that impairs their ability to care for children.
• The revised regulations do allow non-smoking forms of marijuana consumption, like THC-containing gummies and tablets, within foster homes.

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Photo by Jamie Templeton on Unsplash.