Missouri Officials Clash Over Hemp Ban Enforcement
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has had a change of heart regarding Governor Mike Parson’s attempt to halt the sale of intoxicating hemp products in the state. Initially rejecting the effort on August 21, Ashcroft is now reconsidering the move.
Governor Parson issued an executive order on August 1, aiming to ban the sale of edible products containing intoxicating hemp derivatives like delta-8 THC, unless they come from an “approved source.” The lack of recognized approved sources by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Missouri led to the issuance of this order.
As part of the enforcement strategy, Parson planned to grant authority to the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) to take action against licensed liquor establishments selling intoxicating hemp or cannabis products. Additionally, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was tasked with implementing measures to embargo and denounce these products.
The DHSS listed over a dozen compounds from the cannabis sativa L. plant, including hemp and cannabis, that would fall under the ban.
In an August 1 press release, Parson stated, “Today, we are announcing new actions to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that put the health of Missourians at risk.” The executive order aimed to halt the sale of potentially harmful products until approved sources could be regulated by the FDA or the state of Missouri. Protecting vulnerable Missourians, especially children, has been a top priority for the governor.
Despite the submission of emergency rules by the Missouri ATC to implement the order, Ashcroft denied the rulemaking on August 21. This denial triggered tensions between Parson and Ashcroft, who was eyeing a bid for governor but lost the GOP nomination in the recent primary.
In response to Ashcroft’s denial, Parson criticized the move, accusing Ashcroft of prioritizing personal feelings over child safety. Subsequently, Parson reported a significant increase in emergency room visits for cannabis-related incidents involving young children.
Following the clash, Parson directed the ATC to resubmit the emergency rules on August 23. Ashcroft is currently reviewing the new proposal and has yet to make a decision.
The ATC’s initial emergency rules were supposed to go into effect on September 1. However, if Ashcroft maintains his position, the formal rulemaking process could delay the implementation of Parson’s order until March 2025, potentially impacting the state’s stance on hemp regulations.
