JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order to ban the sale of hemp-infused products with “psychoactive cannabis compounds” unless it comes from an “approved source.”
Parson announced the executive order Thursday during a news conference, previously hoping that lawmakers would have addressed psychoactive cannabis products during the last legislative session.
According to the executive order, psychoactive cannabis products banned from sale include ones with the following compounds:
delta-8 and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O)
tetrahydrocannabiphoral (THCP)
tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
The order prohibits psychoactive cannabis products from being sold at retail establishments that hold a liquor license. It also enables the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to take steps that embargo and condemn such products.
Parson says there’s been a rise in children across the nation who have been hospitalized due to psychoactive cannabis products, including a 600% increase in the number of children ages 5 and under in Missouri who have experienced cannabis poisoning that resulted in hospital visits since 2018.
“This Executive Order effectively bans the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action,” said Parson. “Protecting Missourians, especially the most vulnerable, our children, has been our guiding principle since the very beginning and remains so today.”
The governor’s office shared photos of products that include “psychoactive cannabis” products and resemble brand name foods and candies. Oftentimes, the cannabis-infused products will include stickers, labels or government warnings.
Parson says the order does not prohibit the consumption of psychoactive cannabis products, but sees it an extra step to protect children from exposure.
According to Parson’s office, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the State of Missouri recognize any “approved sources” with psychoactive cannabis products, prohibiting such products from being sold in Missouri
According to a April 2024 health advisory from Missouri DHSS, consuming psychoactive cannabis products is associated with risk for poisoning, unexpected intoxication, impairment of cognitive function, nausea, vomiting and more.
The executive order is in effect for Missouri as of Thursday.
