Columbia Presumption ordinance (§ 13-451)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article XIII. Marijuana Business Licensing
In short: In prosecutions under this article, a container labeled as holding medical marijuana is presumed to actually contain it, whether open or sealed, though a defendant can rebut that. The presumption applies only if a sample of the contents has been preserved and is available to the defendant for testing.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
In any prosecution under this article, there is a rebuttable presumption that a container marked or labeled as containing medical marijuana actually contains the described medical marijuana. This rebuttable presumption applies to both open and sealed containers. This rebuttable presumption applies only in cases where a sample of the contents of the container has been preserved and is available to the defendant for testing.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-451
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.