In a recent communication with Missouri Medical Marijuana Program officials, I was informed that Local Enforcement Officers now have access to patient information from their squad cars using the MULES system. This is important as some patients have been challenged about the validity of their license. If you are in that scenario, you should feel empowered to tell officers that they should be able to confirm using their MULES system. Many have not been trained, but if you mention this they’ll know what to do next. I’m including the response from the department.
“Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution allows for the release of related patient information to verify that a person who presented a patient identification card to a state or local law enforcement official is lawfully in possession of such card. Our rules further define specific information that can be released for verification law enforcement pursuant to 19 CSR 30-95.025 (1)(A) which states:
Upon request and for purposes of verifying whether a particular individual is lawfully in possession of a qualifying patient, primary caregiver, or patient cultivation identification card or lawfully in possession of a particular amount of marijuana, state and local law enforcement personnel shall have access to patient and caregiver information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and purchase limitations;….
Local and state law enforcement do have access to the patient and caregiver information, as defined in the provision above, through the MULES system and access is restricted to be utilized only for the purpose as authorized in Article XIV.
We do not have an information kit, however if you are a member of law enforcement you can inform your agency of the information provided in this response.
Medical Marijuana Regulation Program
Website: https://medicalmarijuana.mo.gov
Toll Free: 866-219-0165
Email: MedicalMarijuanainfo@health.mo.gov“
Ty for looking out for the patients! Lit naturals all the way!!
Thanks for sharing this info. Glad to hear the State of Missouri is staying on top of this matter
Why do they need access? It violates HIPPA as well.
In California public employees could serve up to six months in jail and fined $1,000 for fishing in county medical marijuana files, Vazquez said. “If anybody releases that information, they can be prosecuted,” she said.”
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/the-truth-about-medical-marijuana-card-privacy/Content%3foid=3426638&media=AMP%2bHTML
“…for purposes of verifying whether a particular individual is lawfully in possession of a qualifying patient, primary caregiver, or patient cultivation identification card or lawfully in possession of a particular amount of marijuana,…”
If you are a federal employee, does this also give federal agents and officers the same information? This could be used as a hunting list to terminate federal employees participating in the program.
I don’t think I can adequately answer that question. I think it would be appropriate to ask DHSS directly: medicalmarijuanainfo@health.mo.gov