Businesses File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Missouri’s Hemp THC Ban

A federal lawsuit filed by a coalition of Missouri hemp businesses seeks to prevent the statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products from taking effect in November, the Missouri Independent reports. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District, contends the law contains “unconstitutionally vague” definitions for hemp and THC-rich cannabis. 

Craig Katz, government relations and compliance manager for MNG 2005, Inc., which is one of the plaintiffs, said lawmakers don’t understand the cannabis industry and said the legislation “doesn’t make a whole heck of a lot of sense.” 

The lawsuit contends that the legislation defines the same products as both “hemp” and “marijuana” in different provisions, which could cause confusion for the state’s adult use and medical cannabis markets. 

State Rep. Dave Hinman, the bill sponsor, called the lawsuit “the last ditch effort for the hemp industry.” 

“HB 2641 passed the Missouri House, Senate and was signed by the governor. It was vetted throughout the entire process. I don’t believe this Hail Mary will get the results the Hemp Trade Association wants, and Missouri will mirror the federal government.” — Hinman to the Independent 

The legislation largely aligns state law with federal reforms that are also set to take effect in November.   

The plaintiffs include MNG, which is the parent company for 55 CBD Kratom shops nationwide but based in St. Louis, he Missouri Hemp Trade Association, and a Wisconsin-based hemp business, Lifted Liquids Inc.