LOS ANGELES- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has requested $877,000 to fund the enforcement of Gov. Mike Parson’s ban on intoxicating hemp products. The request is part of a preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year and would be available if approved by lawmakers in the state’s budget by May 2024.
The funding would support inspections and litigation efforts related to the ban, which targets psychoactive cannabis products that are not from an “approved source.” This includes popular hemp-derived products like Delta-8 THC, which the state aims to regulate more strictly due to concerns about their appeal to children.
The budget request includes hiring two full-time public health environmental specialists and contracting five additional inspectors. The inspectors would be tasked with conducting compliance checks at retailers and food establishments across the state. The DHSS estimates 40,000 establishments and 1,800 food manufacturers could potentially be impacted by the ban.
Governor Parson initially signed the executive order in August, but enforcement has been delayed due to legal challenges. The Missouri Hemp Trade Association filed a lawsuit against the ban, and the Secretary of State rejected emergency rules that would have enabled broader enforcement.
If approved, the DHSS anticipates its seven inspection staff could conduct 2,900 to 3,500 site visits annually to identify and address misbranded products that pose risks to consumers. The proposed funding also includes resources for potential legal challenges from businesses affected by enforcement actions.
The state’s focus remains on protecting children from products resembling common candy and drinks, while future legislation may further define how intoxicating hemp products are regulated.
