Rep. Ron Hicks (R-102) introduced legislation last week that would allow medical marijuana users in and outside of the state to legally ingest the drug while lodging in a Missouri hotel, Airbnb, or other temporary accommodation.
The Reduction of Illegal Public Consumption by Allowing for Compassionate Access to Medical Marijuana Act would require patients hold a medical marijuana identification card.
“We are still looking at something that is federally illegal,” Rep. Hicks told the St. Louis Record. “I would like hotels to have a little bit of protection and I would like for us to be a little bit more compassionate towards patients who use medical marijuana to ensure they still have the same privileges and rights that we do.”
Under current law, Hicks said there are no legal protections for a hotel owner or medical marijuana user if a patient is caught medicating themselves with cannabis in a rented room.
“That’s all a gray area right now but the way I see it is if it’s a private business, you should be able to do what you want as far as those kinds of things are concerned but that's not the case,” Hicks said. “This bill gives owners clarity on what the law is for them.”
Hicks added that he has received encouragement for HB 486 from other representatives, including Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-98), Tony Lovasco (R-64), and Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-104).
“It’s not mandatory for hotels to participate but if a hotel wants to allow medical marijuana use on their premises for residents and even out of state users, this bill will allow them to do so,” Hicks said.
Hotels and Airbnb operators who wish to participate would be required to apply for a $50 medical marijuana lodging establishment license with the state Department of Health and Senior Services, according to media reports.
Additional rules once licensed include:
Verify hotel guests are registered, cannabis patients.
“Every patient has to have a medical marijuana card in every state and this bill will allow any state's medical marijuana card to qualify,” Hicks said. “All you have to do is show your medical marijuana ID card when you register or check-in at a hotel.”
Consumption areas must be 25 feet from prohibited smoking sections
“The further away you are, the least chance non-users have of being around it or consuming it secondhand,” Hicks said. “That's the reason for the distance because it keeps the secondhand smoke away from the ones that don't want it.”
Clear signage that medical marijuana use is allowed on the premises.
“A notice has to be posted and if it’s not posted where an establishment is allowing it, then they can be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 on the second offense, and $300 on the third,” Hicks said.