Why It Matters
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced four lawsuits against retailers accused of selling marijuana products disguised as hemp. The state’s new restrictions on intoxicating hemp products are scheduled to take effect Nov. 12.
What Happened
Hanaway said laboratory testing found that some retailers were selling marijuana without the state licenses required under Missouri’s licensed marijuana system. She said THCA flower becomes intoxicating when smoked and warned that additional lawsuits are coming.
“You’re going to see more lawsuits,” Hanaway said.
The retailers named in the lawsuits are a CBD Kratom store in St. Louis County, Puffers Choice LLC, Herb Depot and Token THC Dispensary.
Attorney general investigators made undercover purchases from CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary in Des Peres on Oct. 8. Testing found that both products exceeded the federal THC limit for hemp. One package identified its delta-9 THC content as 0.28%, while laboratory testing measured 4%.
Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services will assist with enforcement of the new law. The measure restricts intoxicating hemp products containing more than 0.3% total THC and limits finished hemp-derived cannabinoid products to 0.4 milligrams of THC per container. Restricted products may be sold only through Missouri’s licensed marijuana system.
The law is Missouri’s first comprehensive set of restrictions on intoxicating hemp products. Hemp business owners, including John Grady, owner of Slaphappy Hemporium in Rosebud, planned to protest the law on Veterans Day. Grady said his business produces intoxicating hemp beverages.
“It’s not about safety because they’ve denied regulations for four years straight, and instead they pursued bans,” Grady said.
By the Numbers
Four — lawsuits announced by Hanaway.
Nov. 12 — scheduled implementation date for Missouri’s new law.
40,000 — food establishments and smoke shops potentially affected by the state ban.
1,800 — food manufacturers potentially affected by the state ban.
0.3% — total THC threshold under which products generally fall within Missouri’s definition of hemp.
0.4 milligrams — THC limit per container for finished hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
0.28% — delta-9 THC concentration printed on one product package.
4% — laboratory-measured THC concentration in that product.
Zoom Out
The restrictions follow a broader debate over intoxicating hemp products. Similar bills began being debated in 2023, and intoxicating hemp products could contain as much as 1,000 milligrams of THC outside Missouri’s licensed marijuana dispensaries.
A federal judge also dismissed a hemp industry challenge to Missouri’s law Wednesday. Judge M. Douglas Harpool dismissed the lawsuit, which challenged House Bill 2641.
The plaintiffs are St. Louis-based MNG 2005 Inc., the Missouri Hemp Trade Association and Lifted Liquids Inc. MNG 2005 Inc.’s parent company owns 55 CBD Kratom stores nationwide. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in July and filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Oct. 9. They are assessing whether to appeal.
What’s Next
Missouri’s new restrictions are scheduled to take effect Nov. 12, with the Department of Health and Senior Services assisting enforcement. Hemp business owners planned a Veterans Day protest, while Hanaway said additional lawsuits would follow.