Medical Marijuana Use Will Not Endanger State Social Services

The Department of Social Services went public this week saying recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) will not be impacted by medical marijuana use.

TANF recipients are drug-screened, per a law signed in 2011 by Gov. Jay Nixon.

Over 21,000 individuals and over 9,000 families receive TANF benefits monthly.

As long as a patient receiving TANF benefits has a medical marijuana card, there will be no risk of endangering the assistance, should they test positive for medical marijuna. Without a card, the state will require the recipients to receive substance abuse treatment.

“If an individual fails a drug test, testing positive for marijuana only, and does not have a medical marijuana card, they can receive TANF benefits only if they get substance abuse treatment,” DSS’ Rebecca Woelfel said.