St. Louis, MO Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- No. 71429, § 3 (12-13-2021)
- General policy
- no enforcement, ≤2 oz / 6 plants
- Public-use exception
- resources may still be used
- Safe harbor
- private residential property, with permission
Summary
St. Louis directs police away from enforcing most marijuana possession laws, but openly displaying or consuming marijuana in public stays a full enforcement target under § 11.61.020.A.5.
The City of St. Louis may expend resources to enforce laws that permit punishment for the use or possession of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia against: ... 5. Any individual or entity that openly and publicly displays or consumes marijuana except for displays and consumption on private residential property where the person consuming marijuana is either an owner of the property, a person who has a leasehold interest in the property, or any other person who has been granted express or implied permission to consume marijuana on the property by the owner or the lessee of the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance No. 71429 (2021) bars city resources from being used to enforce marijuana possession of 2 oz or less, 6 or fewer flowering plants, or paraphernalia, but § 11.61.020.A.5 carves open, public display or consumption out of that protection. Police may still use city resources against anyone who openly and publicly displays or consumes marijuana, unless it happens on private residential property with the owner's or leaseholder's express or implied permission. The exception applies to any location the ordinance defines as public, including streets, parks, sidewalks and businesses open to the public.
Violations & Fines
Public display or consumption falls outside the low-enforcement policy, so ordinary marijuana possession/use enforcement, citation or arrest under applicable state or local law, remains in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke marijuana in a St. Louis park?
Does St. Louis's low-priority marijuana policy cover using it in public?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
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