JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order to ban the sale of hemp-infused products with “psychoactive cannabis compounds” unless it comes from an “approved source.”
Parson announced the executive order Thursday during a news conference, previously hoping that lawmakers would have addressed psychoactive cannabis products during the last legislative session.
This is a way for the state to crack down on businesses that are selling unregulated cannabis product. Parson said Thursday, there’s been a 600% increase in the number of kids ages 5 and under who have experienced cannabis poisoning. Starting next month, the state will be taking disciplinary action on certain businesses selling the unregulated products.
“Sellers are free to distribute these products without regulation, even as they are untested on humans,” Parson said.
It looks like a normal bag of candy but look closer. These unregulated psychoactive cannabis products can look almost identical to your favorite candy.
“They have one month to voluntarily remove these products from their premises, and we hope many will do so on their own,” supervisor of the state’s Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Mike Leara said. “These are synthetically created, so it’s a danger not only to children but to adults.”
According to the executive order, psychoactive cannabis products banned from sale include ones with the following compounds:
- delta-8 and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O)
- tetrahydrocannabiphoral (THCP)
- tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
After announcing the executive order, Parson later confirmed that adult-use recreational marijuana remains legal in Missouri through “authorized, licensed dispensaries.” With the order in effect, adults who want to purchase THC-infused and similar psychoactive products can only purchase them legally through a state-approved dispensary. The order does also not apply to CBD products or cannabis sold at state-licensed dispensaries.
“Unlike the marijuana products effectively regulated by our division of cannabis regulation, these hemp-derived, psychoactive products are not required to undergo a robust screening to help ensure consumer health and safety,” Department of Health and Senior Services Director Paula Nickelson said.
The order specifically prohibits psychoactive cannabis products from being sold at retail establishments that hold a liquor license. It also enables the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to take steps that embargo and condemn such products.
“This Executive Order effectively bans the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action,” said Parson. “Protecting Missourians, especially the most vulnerable, our children, has been our guiding principle since the very beginning and remains so today.”
The governor’s office shared photos of products that include “psychoactive cannabis” products and resemble brand name foods and candies. Oftentimes, the cannabis-infused products will include stickers, labels or government warnings.
Joined by the Department of Public Safety, Department of Health and Senior Services, Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Leara Thursday, Parson said until the unregulated products can be approved by the FDA or the state, they will no longer be allowed on shelves.
“In March, six elementary students in St. Louis County became sick after ingesting edible products infused with these chemicals,” Bailey said. “They thought they were candy. The children bought them and consumed them because they thought they were candy.”
Leara said discipline for liquor licensees could range from verbal and written warnings to suspension and fines. Currently, his team is finalizing emergency rules to implement the executive order.
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Photos provided by: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s Office -
Photos provided by: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s Office -
Photos provided by: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s Office -
Photos provided by: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s Office -
Photos provided by: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s Office
Parson says the order does not prohibit the consumption of psychoactive cannabis products, but sees it an extra step to protect children from exposure.
According to Parson’s office, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the State of Missouri recognize any “approved sources” with psychoactive cannabis products, largely prohibiting such products from being sold in Missouri.
“This could have anything in the world in it, it’s not candy,” Parson said holding up a THC infused bag of Life Savers. “It could be anything, it don’t matter. It has nothing to do with candy and we’re going to feed it to our kids? That’s ridiculous.”
According to a April 2024 health advisory from Missouri DHSS, consuming psychoactive cannabis products is associated with risk for poisoning, unexpected intoxication, impairment of cognitive function, nausea, vomiting and more.
Shortly after the announcement, the Missouri Hemp Trade Association said in a statement they opposed the ban and criticized the state-regulated marijuana industry for prosecuting their growing and lawful industry of hemp-derived product.
“Here in Missouri, the Missouri Hemp Trade Association continues to support the lawful product and sale of all federally authorized and approved hemp derived products. We estimate there are nearly 10,000 retail points of sale for legal hemp products in Missouri, supporting tens of thousands of jobs,” the statement read.
The executive order will take effect Sept. 1
