Missouri’s Proposed Rules for Marijuana Research Facilities
Missouri is taking steps to establish a regulatory framework for marijuana research facilities. In April 2026, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), a division of the Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS), filed proposed rules outlining who may conduct marijuana research, the activities research facilities can conduct, how facilities may apply for licenses, and the compliance requirements that must be followed.
These rules, titled 19 CSR 100-1.200 Marijuana Research Facilities, are in the May 1, 2026, issue of the Missouri Register. A final version of the rules is expected to be filed for formal rulemaking in summer 2026.
Below is an overview of key requirements.
What Marijuana Research Facilities Could Do
Under the proposed rules, marijuana research facilities are permitted to engage in a wide range of activities related to scientific research and education involving marijuana products.
Marijuana research facilities could:
Acquire and transfer marijuana product from a licensed medical or marijuana facility
Cultivate marijuana, process, manufacture, and test marijuana product, and store marijuana product on-site.
Transfer marijuana product to or from a testing facility or another marijuana research facility.
Sell or donate marijuana product to another marijuana research facility.
Sell or transfer marijuana seeds and clones produced from a research study to a licensed cultivation facility.
Acquire and transfer marijuana seeds from entities not licensed under this chapter if doing so does not violate state or federal law.
Perform research on marijuana product, and perform research on animal and human subjects related to the use of marijuana product.
Enter into contracts or agreements with a public institution or another marijuana research facility to conduct a research study.
Share space with a cultivation facility, manufacturing facility, dispensary facility, or testing facility.
Administer final marijuana product to approved human or animal subjects if all requirements are met.
Research licensees are not allowed to sell or transfer marijuana product to a cultivation facility, manufacturing facility, or dispensary facility. A research licensee’s authority to perform research on human subjects include the administration and delivery of marijuana product to human subjects, but not the sale of final marijuana product to consumers, qualifying patients, or primary caregivers.
Marijuana Research Facility Application Requirements
Before beginning operations, a facility needs to apply for a research facility license. The online application process requires a nonrefundable fee of $500 and detailed information about the business, including:
Name and address of the designated contact.
Legal name of the applicant entity.
All owners of the applicant entity with ownership percentage.
Proposed address of the marijuana research facility.
Proposed blueprints that outline the entire facility and feature all rooms and areas clearly labeled, including purpose and square footage, camera locations, limited access areas, and access permissions.
For research facilities that will be cultivating marijuana, the cultivation practice (indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse) used by the facility.
A written plan for documenting all individuals who will have access to the research facility and marijuana product.
A brief description of the research that will be conducted.
An indication of whether the applicant intends to conduct research on human or animal subjects.
An indication of whether the applicant intends to sell seeds and clones to a licensed cultivation facility.
Individuals cannot have disqualifying felony offenses. Those subject to analysis need to submit fingerprints within two weeks of the application submission for state and federal background checks conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Research Study Approval Process
Every study needs department approval before research could begin. In addition to a nonrefundable $250 study application fee, the licensee need to submit a description of the research being conducted with:
An abstract, study question, and study rational.
A study protocol, including expected sample sizes and marijuana testing methods if applicable.
If the licensee plans to cultivate marijuana, the amount of marijuana to be cultivated and an explanation for that amount.
If the licensee plans to sell seeds and clones to a licensed cultivation facility, the amount of seeds and clones to be sold, and when in the cultivation process the licensee plans to collect them.
Studies involving human or animal subjects require additional requirements.
Plus, any research involving human subjects has to be reviewed and approved by the department’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and an IRB that is registered and in good standing. To conduct research involving animal subjects, the marijuana research facility needs to be registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131.
Research Facility and Licensee Requirements
All employees, contractors, volunteers, and owners having access to a research facility shall comply with the facility employment requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.070.
Research licensees must comply with the:
Facility security requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.090.
Location, general operations, and signage requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.100 unless otherwise stated.
Inventory control and seed-to-sale tracking requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.130.
Transportation and storage requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.140 unless otherwise stated.
Marijuana waste disposal requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.150 unless otherwise stated.
Additionally, research licensees that:
Cultivate marijuana must comply with the cultivation facility requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.160 unless otherwise stated.
Manufacture marijuana product must comply with the manufacturing facility requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.170.
Complaints, Inspections, and Investigations
Research licensee must follow complaints, inspections, and investigations requirements pursuant to 19 CSR 100-1.030 unless otherwise stated.
If the department determines that a research licensee is not in compliance with the department’s regulations or a department-approved research study, the department may, without prior notice of violation, impose penalties, including, but not limited to:
Suspending the research study.
Placing an administrative hold on marijuana product.
Suspending the research license.
Additional steps will be taken if there is a credible, imminent threat to public safety.
Stay Compliant With Marijuana Waste Regulations
Monarch Waste Co. knows marijuana waste disposal requirements in 19 CSR 100-1.150 inside and out. As Missouri’s first cannabis waste service, we partner with licensed facilities to manage both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams, ensuring secure handling, clear documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Our team will evaluate your waste stream and develop a customized management plan. From there, we’ll deliver secure containers to your facility, schedule pickups around your workflow, render the waste on-site so it meets compliance requirements before leaving your property, and more.
Learn more by contacting us today and scheduling your assessment!