Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) last month sent 18 cease and desist letters to hemp companies retailing intoxicating hemp flower products in the state, the Missouri Independent reports.
The letters mark the state’s first significant enforcement effort under a special hemp investigation unit set up last fall, the report said. The warnings targeted companies selling hemp flower products, which look and function essentially the same as cannabis products available in state-licensed dispensaries, threatening legal action, including injunctions, civil penalties, and attorney fees.
“When purchasing products, Missourians deserve to know if they are being exposed to dangerous side effects like psychotic episodes, hallucinations or other life-threatening risks. We have issued 18 cease and desist letters so far, and more are forthcoming.” — Bailey, via The Independent
The letters specifically highlight products containing more than 0.3% THCA by dry weight — THCA is a precursor to delta-9 THC that converts upon decarboxylation, which typically occurs when it’s burned or smoked, or when it’s cooked into an edible.
In March, lawmakers in the Missouri House General Laws Committee blocked a bill seeking to regulate THC-infused hemp products.
More recently, the state transferred more than $23.3 million in cannabis taxes toward the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.
