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
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing
22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 2-6-1
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 7-8-3
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 5-8-3-5
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 8-7-7-9
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 13 drawing
Early Bird: 11
Morning: 15
Matinee: 14
Prime Time: 12
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 13 drawing
04-08-18-19-27
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 13 drawing
08-13-39-63-66, Powerball: 02
Check Powerball Double Play 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.
Job Point YouthBuild participants demonstrated their construction skills and shared their personal stories at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on April 21.
The event, hosted by the Missouri YouthBuild Coalition, brought together trainees, staff and partners from across the state, according to a community announcement. The day included hands-on construction demonstrations, youth-led advocacy and opportunities for participants to engage with policymakers.
A hands-on project
Trainees spent the morning constructing the framework of walls and portable chairs in teams, demonstrating the skills they are developing through YouthBuild programs in Columbia, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau. At the end of the day, they assembled the walls to create a room, symbolizing the collaboration among trainees from different regions.
“It was a very good day. We had to build the chairs over there. I did a little measurement, cutting, all of that,” one Job Point YouthBuild student said in the announcement.
The experience highlighted not only technical skills, but also the importance of teamwork and communication, according to the announcement.
“Working together as a team, putting things together was exquisite. Communication was key,” another student shared in the announcement.
Sharing personal journeys
The event also provided a platform for participants to share their personal journeys. Many YouthBuild participants have faced significant barriers, including interruptions in education and limited access to employment opportunities. Through programs like Job Point’s YouthBuild, they are reconnecting with education, gaining workforce certifications and building pathways to meaningful careers, according to the announcement.
For students, the experience of participating in a statewide event and demonstrating their abilities in such a visible setting was both affirming and inspiring.
“I loved it! I had a great time. We built chairs. It was a good experience,” another participant said in the announcement.
Jerrell Morton, director of Job Point’s YouthBuild, emphasized the importance of visibility. Morton said in the announcement, “At its core, this day is about visibility — showing lawmakers, community leaders and the public what these young people are capable of. Our students aren’t just learning skills — they’re building confidence, leadership and a vision for their future.”
Addressing workforce needs
The event also highlighted the broader need for investment in workforce development initiatives like YouthBuild at the state level. Across Missouri, employers continue to report unfilled jobs and growing skills gaps. YouthBuild programs are helping to address that challenge by equipping young adults with practical training, work experience and the tools needed to succeed in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, IT and manufacturing.
For Job Point, participation in the event reinforced its commitment to empowering opportunity youth to overcome barriers, reclaim their education and achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability, according to the announcement.
“It’s a great experience. I love Job Point,” another student reflected in the announcement.
As the day concluded, trainees left with a new sense of confidence after meeting with their state representatives, senators and their staffers and standing up on the Missouri House and Senate floors, according to the announcement.
Job Point YouthBuild participants demonstrated their construction skills and shared their personal stories at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on April 21.
The event, hosted by the Missouri YouthBuild Coalition, brought together trainees, staff and partners from across the state, according to a community announcement. The day included hands-on construction demonstrations, youth-led advocacy and opportunities for participants to engage with policymakers.
A hands-on project
Trainees spent the morning constructing the framework of walls and portable chairs in teams, demonstrating the skills they are developing through YouthBuild programs in Columbia, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau. At the end of the day, they assembled the walls to create a room, symbolizing the collaboration among trainees from different regions.
“It was a very good day. We had to build the chairs over there. I did a little measurement, cutting, all of that,” one Job Point YouthBuild student said in the announcement.
The experience highlighted not only technical skills, but also the importance of teamwork and communication, according to the announcement.
“Working together as a team, putting things together was exquisite. Communication was key,” another student shared in the announcement.
Sharing personal journeys
The event also provided a platform for participants to share their personal journeys. Many YouthBuild participants have faced significant barriers, including interruptions in education and limited access to employment opportunities. Through programs like Job Point’s YouthBuild, they are reconnecting with education, gaining workforce certifications and building pathways to meaningful careers, according to the announcement.
For students, the experience of participating in a statewide event and demonstrating their abilities in such a visible setting was both affirming and inspiring.
“I loved it! I had a great time. We built chairs. It was a good experience,” another participant said in the announcement.
Jerrell Morton, director of Job Point’s YouthBuild, emphasized the importance of visibility. Morton said in the announcement, “At its core, this day is about visibility — showing lawmakers, community leaders and the public what these young people are capable of. Our students aren’t just learning skills — they’re building confidence, leadership and a vision for their future.”
Addressing workforce needs
The event also highlighted the broader need for investment in workforce development initiatives like YouthBuild at the state level. Across Missouri, employers continue to report unfilled jobs and growing skills gaps. YouthBuild programs are helping to address that challenge by equipping young adults with practical training, work experience and the tools needed to succeed in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, IT and manufacturing.
For Job Point, participation in the event reinforced its commitment to empowering opportunity youth to overcome barriers, reclaim their education and achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability, according to the announcement.
“It’s a great experience. I love Job Point,” another student reflected in the announcement.
As the day concluded, trainees left with a new sense of confidence after meeting with their state representatives, senators and their staffers and standing up on the Missouri House and Senate floors, according to the announcement.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court issued opinions Tuesday in two cases concerning the state’s latest redistricting map.
Both opinions found the map meets constitutional requirements. As it is already in effect, it will stay in effect.
“Today’s Missouri Supreme Court rulings are a huge victory for voters,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement. “Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our Missouri values — rooted in common sense, hard work, and personal responsibility — are stronger and far more aligned across both sides of the aisle than the extreme left-wing agendas pushed in states like New York, California, and Illinois. The Missouri First Map ensures those values are represented fairly and accurately at every level of government. This August, Missouri voters will head to the ballot box to vote for candidates in these newly drawn districts.”
The opinion in Elizabeth Healey, et al. v. State of Missouri, et al. stated residents failed to meet the burden required by Missouri law to demonstrate the map was unconstitutional.
This case raised an issue with Article III, Section 45 of the Missouri Constitution, which states that districts “shall be comprised of contiguous territory as compact and as nearly equal in population as may be.” But the court found the concerned residents were unable to prove the “legislature improperly deviated from the directives of article III, section 45.”
The second lawsuit, Jake Maggard, et al. v. State of Missouri, et al., took issue with which map was currently in effect. Residents gathered signatures they believed should stop the new map from going into effect until put before Missouri voters.
However, the court ruled unanimously that nothing in the constitution allows a referendum petition alone to automatically suspend legislation. It has yet to be determined if the referendum petition filing was “legal, sufficient and timely,” per the opinion.
Additional redistricting cases remain ongoing.
NAACP, et al. v. Kehoe will go before the Missouri Supreme Court on May 27. This case argues the governor didn’t have the power to call the “extraordinary session” in which the new redistricting map was adopted.
Additionally, People Not Politicians v. Hoskins will go before a judge in July. Though in a lower court, this case concerns the validity of the signatures people gathered to force a statewide vote on the map.
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