New Missouri law tightening marijuana and hemp regulations goes into effect

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A law set to tighten regulations on hemp-derived cannabis products is set to go into effect Thursday.

In April, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 2641 into law, which adds new rules regarding marijuana/hemp products. The law is expected to significantly reshape Missouri’s hemp industry by requiring many of those products to be sold only through licensed marijuana dispensaries.

Several changes in the law affect marijuana and hemp for cannabis businesses across the state. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, only licensed dispensaries can sell products with THC. Businesses, such as convenience stores, that sell THC products outside the regulated system face a $5,000 fine per transaction.

The law also states that not all hemp products have to come from a Missouri-licensed dispensary supplier, as long as they are within the legal THC limits. The legal THC limit is defined as hemp products that contain no more than three-tenths of one percent of total THC and hemp products with no more than 0.4mg of total THC.

The law reclassifies certain hemp-derived products, including some sold as CBD, as marijuana if they meet specific criteria.

Synthetic cannabis and cannabis made through chemical conversion or modification remain banned from being sold at dispensaries.

Rules regarding THC seltzers made with natural cannabis are set to go into effect on Dec. 11.

Supporters say the move is aimed at protecting children and cracking down on products they argue are being marketed in ways that appeal to minors. Kehoe echoed those concerns, saying the decision ultimately came down to public safety.

The measure drew strong opposition from the hemp industry, which warns it will have sweeping economic impacts, including from the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, which launched a campaign urging Kehoe to reconsider.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Association delivered over 10,000 letters and over 2,000 signatures from industry consumers and employers opposed to the bill.

The law could affect an estimated 40,000 businesses statewide, including small retailers.