Missouri
Missouri hemp industry stuck in confusion as Gov. Mike Parson's THC ban gets delayed
When Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued an executive order banning the sale of psychoactive hemp-derived edibles outside of marijuana dispensaries, he said manufacturers are endangering children with deceptive packaging and unregulated substances.
But he didn’t mention the effect the ban would have on Missouri hemp producers, who say they’re trying to run a legitimate business and feel burned by the governor.
Even after Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft blocked the emergency order, delaying the ban by at least six months, local hemp sellers feel attacked by the looming threat to their businesses.
“We’re in limbo,” said Brian Riegel, owner of South Point Hemp in Union, Missouri. “Bankers are calling asking what’s going on, what’s going to happen, how we’re going to cover the bills. I don’t have those answers.”
Hemp-derived compounds rose to prominence following the 2018 Farm Bill.
Before 2018, the cannabis plant was basically illegal to grow in any form. The bill opened the door to growing it by classifying cannabis with less than .3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp and cannabis with any more as marijuana.
This allowed farmers to grow hemp to use as fiber and grain. But it also opened the door for two types of hemp-derived psychoactive products to hit the market.
The first is any product that has low amounts of delta-9. For example, if an edible weighs a total of 10 grams, it could have up to 30 milligrams of delta-9. Riegel sells a line of drinks with 5 milligrams of delta-9 at bars and concerts.
“When we’re talking about a beverage like this, this is .0005% [THC concentration],” he said. “It’s way low because of the volume.”
Though the governor’s order didn’t explicitly ban products with hemp-derived delta-9, a spokesperson with the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services confirmed to KBIA via email that they are illegal as well.
The other types are other psychoactive chemical compounds found in cannabis, such as delta-8 and delta-10. While some of these appear in faint amounts in cannabis, they are most often made by chemically converting compounds like CBD, which is naturally plentiful in cannabis.
Hemp producers and advocates say because these compounds aren’t delta-9 specifically, it’s legal hemp instead of illegal marijuana.
“I think the law means what it says,” said Dan Viets, a Columbia lawyer who chairs the Board of Directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML. “And the people who are manufacturing intoxicating products from hemp are doing what was or should have been foreseeable. I’m not sure if anyone foresaw it or not, but that they are abiding by the law as it now stands.”
Others disagree. Eric Leas is an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego. He studies cannabis and works with officials to draft regulations. Leas is in favor of closing what he calls the “hemp loophole.”
“I wasn’t in the room when they were writing the law, but to me, and lots of states are deciding, the intent of this was for industrial uses and not a work-around to get psychoactive cannabis products to consumers,” Leas said. “So that’s kind of what I see as the loophole.”
Leas is in favor of a total ban on psychoactive hemp-derived compounds, especially in places with a legal market for marijuana, a drug he says has much more research indicating it’s safe.
“There’s all sorts of consumer safety checks that happen in a recreational use system,” he said. “The thing that the industry doesn’t like is it makes it more expensive, and you have to submit your products to this system. But to me, as a public health researcher, with a really potent substance, it seems worth the additional costs to ensure safety for the products in a way that we can’t do for the hemp-derived market.”
The Missouri Hemp Trade Association says they have been calling for regulations for years to no avail, which is partly why Parson’s outright ban was such a shock.
“I think it’s important that we do age restrictions on the purchase of it, 21 and over,” Riegel said. “Make sure the labels are right, make sure there’s testing on it.”
Missouri Hemp Trade Association Executive Director Courtney Allen Curtis said that despite legislation failing to pass, the state’s hemp industry has been self-regulating.
“If it’s a Missouri Hemp Trade member company that’s making these products, you won’t find that they are labeled as marijuana, and you will find that they are tested,” he said. “They are properly labeled. And then they have the certificate of analysis that shows you that they are tested, and it shows what ingredients and other things are in it, and that they have been tested for things such as heavy metals, and they pass those tests.”
Those in the Missouri hemp industry say they feel lumped together with the out-of-state and overseas manufacturers that don’t abide by the same rules, and the executive order wouldn’t do much to stop them anyway.
“They can’t stop the online ordering of it, and they’re not making it illegal to possess,” Riegel said. “So it’s the actual selling of it. If you’re a merchant in the state, that’s the person who becomes a criminal in this act.”
Riegel said if the ban goes through, he’s considering moving his business out of state and selling his products online.
Earlier this month, Columbia hemp boutique Hemp Hemp Hooray closed its doors after five years in business. Owner Kevin Halderman said about 50% of the products he sells would be impacted by the ban, and he made the decision to close on the same day it was announced.
“It was definitely the nail that sealed the deal,” he said.
After Ashcroft blocked the emergency order, the ban is now expected to take at least six months to come to fruition.
Copyright 2024 KBIA
As of Saturday, December 20, 2025, the sports world is delivering a massive weekend slate, with the NFL Week 16 doubleheader and a trio of College Football Playoff games leading the charge. To capitalize on this jam-packed schedule, Bet365 Sportsbook is making a major statement in Missouri. To maintain momentum during this critical launch month, Bet365 Missouri is offering an unmissable incentive for today’s action: the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE unlocks a guaranteed “Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets” promo for all new Missouri customers.
This bonus acts as a strategic outlier in the current market. While standard welcome bonuses in states like Virginia or Ohio often hover around $150, Missouri bettors activating the Bet365 bonus code today gain access to an additional $215 in guaranteed value. This $365 payout is currently one of the most powerful bankroll-builders available in the U.S. sports betting landscape.
Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE: An Updated National Benchmark
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Key Deal Terms:
- Bonus Code: SYRACUSE
- Offer: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Guaranteed).
- Value Differential: +$215 compared to national averages.
- Eligibility: New Missouri users only.
Today’s Headline Betting Events: NFL & CFP
The Bet365 bonus code is live just in time for a full day of football. Missouri bettors can use their qualifying $10 wager on any of the NFL or CFP matchups below to trigger the $365 bonus.
NFL Week 16 Spotlight
- Eagles vs. Commanders: A massive NFC East rivalry game kicking off at 5:00 PM ET at Northwest Stadium.
- Packers vs. Bears: One of the NFL’s oldest rivalries takes center stage at Soldier Field at 8:20 PM ET.
CFP Round 1 Spotlight
- Miami (FL) vs. Texas A&M: The day begins at 12:00 PM ET with a blockbuster at Kyle Field.
- Tulane vs. Ole Miss: The Rebels host the Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 3:30 PM ET.
- James Madison vs. Oregon: The nightcap features the Dukes visiting Autzen Stadium at 7:30 PM ET.
Current Betting Odds
| Game | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami vs. Texas A&M | TAMU -3.5 | 50.5 | MIA +145, TAMU -154 |
| Tulane vs. Ole Miss | MISS -17.5 | 56.5 | TUL +625, MISS -850 |
| JMU vs. Oregon | ORE -21.5 | 47.5 | JMU +1160, ORE -2000 |
Note: Odds are subject to change.
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Full Saturday Schedule:
Once the Bet365 bonus code is activated, bettors can use their bonus funds on the NFL or College Football Playoff action:
- 12:00 PM ET: Miami (FL) vs. Texas A&M (CFP Round 1)
- 3:30 PM ET: Tulane vs. Ole Miss (CFP Round 1)
- 5:00 PM ET: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders (FOX)
- 7:30 PM ET: James Madison vs. Oregon (CFP Round 1)
- 8:20 PM ET: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (FOX)
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Claiming the elevated launch offer is simple, but requires the correct code during registration. Follow these instructions:
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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Midday: 4-3-1
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 3-6-5
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Midday: 4-5-1-4
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 5-5-4-1
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
06-31-34-37-41, Cash Ball: 04
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Early Bird: 08
Morning: 05
Matinee: 15
Prime Time: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
12-23-28-33-38
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Missouri’s attorney general has revealed which Chinese assets the state will be targeting in a $50 billion legal row.
The Show Me State’s legal battle with China has intensified as both sides pursue multibillion-dollar claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And now, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has explained what is on the table in terms of what assets will be targeted in the litigation.
“China caused extraordinary harm to our citizens and our economy,” she told Newsweek. “We are committed to holding them accountable and recovering every dollar we can. I’ve been asked if we will seize the pandas at the National Zoo. The answer is no, we are looking at other Chinese-owned assets, including farmland.”
Why It Matters
The confrontation highlights ongoing diplomatic rifts between the United States and China and raises complex questions about international law, sovereign immunity, and the ability of U.S. states to seize foreign-owned property. The outcome could set precedents for future pandemic-related litigation and diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
What To Know
China recently filed a lawsuit in a Wuhan court against Missouri and several state officials, seeking more than $50 billion in damages and public apologies.
In response, Missouri is advancing efforts to enforce a $24 billion U.S. court judgment against the Chinese government and affiliated entities—by targeting certain Chinese-owned assets within the United States.
The current dispute stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Missouri, which alleged that China exacerbated the coronavirus pandemic by hoarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and failing to provide timely warnings regarding the virus.
Earlier this year, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office obtained a $24–$25 billion judgment against the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and related entities after Chinese officials declined to participate in the U.S. court process.
In response to Missouri’s legal success, China has now filed a $50.5 billion (356.4 billion yuan) lawsuit in the Intermediate People’s Court of Wuhan.
The complaint, jointly submitted by the Chinese government, Wuhan’s municipal government, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, names the state of Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt, and former Attorney General Andrew Bailey as defendants.
The Chinese lawsuit claims Missouri and its officials engaged in “fabricating enormous disinformation, and spreading stigmatizing and discriminating slanders” that impaired China’s economic interests and reputation.
Alongside financial compensation, China seeks public apologies in prominent American and Chinese media outlets, recovery of legal costs, and the right to claim further damages.
What People Are Saying
Hanaway said: “I find it extremely telling that the Chinese blame our great state for ‘belittling the social evaluation’ of The Wuhan Institute of Virology… We stand undeterred in our mission to collect on our $24 billion judgment that was lawfully handed down in federal court.”
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt, who initiated Missouri’s original lawsuit, said: “I’ve been banned from Communist China, and now I am being sued and targeted by Communist China in a $50 Billion lawfare campaign, and I’ll wear it like a badge of honor… This novel lawsuit is factually baseless, legally meritless, and any fake judgment a Chinese court issues in this lawsuit we will easily beat back and keep from being enforced against the people of Missouri or me.”
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, described the Missouri lawsuit as “a purely politically motivated maneuver [and] China firmly opposes it, will never accept it, and reserves the right to take strong countermeasures.”
What Happens Next
Missouri is in the process of seeking certification of its federal court judgment—a legal prerequisite for initiating asset seizures under U.S. law. If certification is granted, the state may move forward with efforts to identify and seize Chinese-owned assets, particularly farmland and financial interests connected to the Chinese government or its proxies.
Simultaneously, Chinese legal action in Wuhan courts is ongoing, with the plaintiffs demanding significant damages and public apologies.
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