Medical Marijuana Policy

Medical marijuana use will not be allowed in any area covered under the hospital license including inpatient, clinics, infusion settings, or other outpatient settings. This medical marijuana policy is applicable to all patients and visitors of Bates County Memorial Hospital and Family Care Clinics.

Policy statement

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) and Family Care Clinics (FCCs) recognize that Missouri law authorizes medical marijuana use by qualifying patients for certain medical conditions. However, use and possession of medical marijuana is prohibited by federal law.

Due to federal requirements that health care providers maintain compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding the provision of health care services, health care providers employed by BCMH and FCCs may not certify patients with qualifying medical conditions for the purpose of authorizing the use of medical marijuana. Providers with privileges to see patients at the hospital or Family Care Clinics may not certify patients while such patients are under their care at BCMH or FCCs.

Medical marijuana may not be used or possessed in any form by any one on the premises of BCMH or the FCCs.

If at any time BCMH or Family Care Clinics determine a patient or visitor is in violation of this policy statement, consequences up to and including discharge or being asked to leave may be considered in order to maintain patient and staff safety.

Patient possession procedures

If Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) or Family Care Clinic (FCC) staff determine that a patient – whether they are qualified or not – possess medical marijuana on hospital or FCC premises, staff will ask the patient to arrange for the immediate removal of the marijuana from the premises.

If a patient presents to Family Care Clinics with medical marijuana in their possession, regardless of whether the patient may lawfully possess marijuana, they will be asked to remove it from the premises immediately. They will also be informed of the hospital’s and FCC’s prohibition of medical marijuana on the premises and warned for future visits to FCCs to not have marijuana in their possession.

Please talk to your health care provider

Patients should report using medical marijuana to their health care provider(s). This is important because of possible interactions with other medications.