By Blake Jackson
Hemp-derived THC infused beverages have been a booming business in Missouri since Total Wine, the nation's largest liquor retailer, started carrying them in June.
Companies like Mighty Kind, which produces hemp seltzers, have seen a significant sales boost. These beverages, containing low levels of THC, are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill and have become popular in bars and liquor stores across the state.
However, this burgeoning industry is facing a sudden halt. Governor Mike Parson issued an executive order on August 1 banning intoxicating hemp products and threatening penalties for businesses with liquor or food licenses that sell them. The order also prohibits the production of hemp-derived THC beverages within the state.
Parson justified the ban, citing concerns about children mistaking THC edibles for candy. He displayed a package of THC gummies to emphasize his point. The governor argued that unlike marijuana, hemp-derived THC products lack federal or state regulations.
The hemp industry strongly opposes the ban, labeling it an "overreach." Steve Busch, a distributor of hemp beverages, agrees that bad actors should be removed from the market but criticizes the governor's failure to address the impact on thousands of businesses. A legislative effort to regulate these products is underway, with a bill expected to be filed in December.
Despite the ban, consumers can still purchase hemp-derived THC products online from out-of-state companies. The order primarily targets retailers with liquor or food licenses, but it does not prevent the consumption of these products.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Missouri, Government & Policy