Missouri Cannabis Cultivators Fined for Using Out-of-State Seeds

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has fined at least seven licensed cannabis cultivators for acquiring new seeds or clones from illegal or out-of-state sources, the Missouri Independent reports.

Under a policy known as the “immaculate conception rule,” licensed cannabis growers in Missouri are allowed a one-year grace period during which the state will effectively look the other way as the licensees establish their inventory. Afterwards, however, all new cannabis plants must be grown from the company’s own supply of seeds or mother plants, or come from another state-licensed grower.

However, officials discovered last year that “some licensees believed they were permitted to bring in clones or tissue cultures as well as seeds on an ongoing basis,” which violates the state’s seed-to-sale tracking rules, a DCR spokesperson said in the report.

“In lieu of penalties or other enforcement action, these violations were resolved for amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the circumstances.” — Lisa Cox, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services spokesperson, via the Independent

Meanwhile, a long-shot bid in the Legislature is seeking to repeal the state’s existing provisions on cannabis and replace them with a new framework to expand protections, eliminate possession limits, and change how cannabis is regulated, taxed, and enforced in the state.