Hemp

Following a lawsuit from the state's hemp industry, Missouri health regulators will stop embargoing products simply because they contain hemp-derived THC. Instead, they'll focus on identifying "misbranded" products.

The commander of the VFW post condemned the inspection — part of Missouri's ban on intoxicating hemp products — though the state said it was responding to a complaint.

At the press conference announcing the task force, Governor Mike Parson left the door open for legislative efforts to regulate the hemp industry.

Parson says psychoactive hemp-derived edibles are dangerous to children. But Missouri hemp producers say they're trying to run legitimate businesses.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft contends the governor did not prove that restricting establishments with liquor licenses from selling hemp-derived edibles and drinks was an emergency.

The governor wants to curb hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages that are sold at places with liquor licenses. Ashcroft says the rules don’t meet emergency standards.

“As best I can tell, you denied this emergency rulemaking because you believe hurt feelings are more important than protecting children,” Gov. Mike Parson wrote in a letter to the secretary of state.

A company that made THC concentrate oil for Delta Extraction says it is owed millions in the aftermath of last year’s product recall.

The workers’ employer, CBD Kratom, agreed to remain neutral as the union conducted its election.

The problem, according to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, is the products in question — such Delta-8 edibles and vape pens — are not clearly labeled to indicate that they’ll get you high.