What is a Caregiver and How do I Find One?
What is a caregiver?
A caregiver is someone who is over the age of 21, and is responsible in some way for a medical marijuana patient’s medicine. A caregiver may handle their patient’s medication, and in certain cases even grow for their patient. A caregiver may provide for up to three patients.
How much does it cost to have a caregiver?
A caregiver may provide you flower, as well as edibles, tinctures, and more!
The state charges a $25 application fee when a caregiver submits their license registration online. This fee allows them to handle a patient’s medicine, including the preparation, purchase, and administering of it. The caregiver also has the option to pay an additional $100 fee for the right to grow for their patient. If they choose to grow, they can have up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones designated per patient. For each patient a caregiver takes on, they must submit a new application and pay the necessary fees.
As far as how much you buy from your caregiver, and how much you pay, that is entirely up to the two of you to decide! You can check out this list on Weed Maps to see what dispensaries in other states are charging per eighth to make sure you’re getting a fair shake. Some caregivers may offer other perks, including making you edibles or tinctures, so be sure to ask if that’s something you may be interested in using!
Where can I find a caregiver?
A friend or family member may offer to be your medical marijuana caregiver.
A caregiver may be a fellow medical marijuana patient, but they can also be a friend or family member. A caregiver does not have to be a patient themselves in order to be responsible for your medicine, so if you know someone with a green thumb, it may be worth it to ask them! There are also several Facebook groups that help patients connect with others who may be interested in being a caregiver, including Missouri Cannabis Growers Association.
How do I become a caregiver?
In order to be a licensed caregiver, you will need to register with the state. It is an online application process that takes about 15 minutes to complete. You will need to have a picture of yourself, a copy of your driver’s license, proof of MO residency, and you’re patient’s license number ready before starting your application. For a step-by-step guide, check out another article we published.
Learn more here about getting your medical marijuana card!