synthetic marijuana

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.

Parson's joint task force between the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office will seek to get unrelated hemp-derived edibles off of shelves, and build an investigation into "deceptive marketing practices."

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

Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order to remove all hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages from store shelves and threatening penalties to any establishment that continues selling them. But industry leaders say the ban goes too far.

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

“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 Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

More than 135,000 marijuana products were recalled last week, including vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints. The state says no adverse reactions have been reported yet.

Delta-8 THC products — including a large variety of drinks that are popular at bars and available at gas stations throughout the state — can be sold in Missouri stores because they are made from hemp, which is federally legal.

Missouri regulators have agreed to delay revoking the license of the company at the center of the recall as a hearing over the matter is pushed to December.

Marijuana manufacturer Delta Extraction has denied accusations that it illegally imported cannabis into Missouri, arguing it actually imported a non-psychoactive hemp product that was converted into THC once in the state. But dispensaries said they had no idea Delta's product was made from hemp.

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