Missouri Governor’s THC Ban Threatens 9,000 Retailers Statewide Amid Nationwide Clampdown On Hemp
Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) enacted Executive Order 24-10 on August 1, immediately banning the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products across the state. This directive, effective as of September 1, targets the burgeoning market of hemp-infused beverages which, until now, were legally sold outside licensed cannabis dispensaries thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
Hemp Industry Criticizes Missouri THC Ban
The governor’s decision has sparked intense backlash from local hemp business owners and industry advocates, labeling it an “overreach,” according to The Missouri Independent. Joshua Grigaitis, owner of St. Louis-based Mighty Kind Co., criticized the order for its broad implications, particularly affecting the state’s bars and liquor stores, which have earned significant revenue from these products. “That’s a big hit to just make an executive order without any kind of voting or legislation,” Grigaitis lamented, noting that his hemp seltzers …