Missouri AG Sends Cease and Desist Letters to 18 Hemp Companies

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.