The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will soon be cracking down on its enforcement of cannabis-infused edibles.

These efforts, to begin Sept. 1, follow Gov. Mike Parson’s signing of Executive Order 24-10. The order, signed Aug. 1, prohibits foods containing psychoactive cannabis from being manufactured, sold or delivered in Missouri, unless originating from an “approved source.”

“Food” includes raw, cooked or processed edible substance; ice; beverages, an ingredient used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption; or chewing gum.

What does Executive Order 24-10 cover?

The order does not apply to marijuana products protected under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, which allows for the manufacture, sale and consumption of marijuana and marijuana-infused products, approved by Missouri voters in 2023.

Rather, the order addresses unregulated products containing Delta 8, Delta 10, HHC, THC-O, THCP, THCV and other similar compounds. These products are often found at smoke and vape shops — establishments that do not operate with an approved marijuana dispensary license.

Cannabis plants contain more than 100 chemicals called cannabinoids, including Delta 8, 9 and 10. Under federal law, compounds like Delta 8 and Delta 10 are legal for consumer purchase and usage, but are not addressed in Article XIV in Missouri. Delta 9, on the other hand, is the most abundant form of THC, and when purchasing a marijuana product from an approved dispensary, it likely contains Delta 9.

More: Marijuana terms to know, now that Missouri has legalized weed

Generally, CBD, CBN, CBC and related compounds do not have a psychoactive effect. These substances are not prohibited by the executive order, according to the DHSS.

Under Executive Order 24-10, Parson directed the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to file an emergency rule to amend its regulations to prohibit unregulated psychoactive cannabis products from being sold at liquor-licensed facilities. Last week, this emergency rule was rejected by the Secretary of State. However, the division is continuing to pursue rulemaking on this matter, according to a DHSS news release.

Why did Parson sign Executive Order 24-10?

According to the DHSS news release, there has been a 600% increase in the number of children five and under in Missouri who have experienced cannabis poisoning that resulted in emergency room visits or hospitalizations since 2018.

“These intoxicating products are currently untested in humans, unregulated and sold to the public without restriction,” the DHSS news release states. “Due to lack of regulatory oversight, these products are marketed aggressively and assertively in eye-catching ways to attract public consumption, particularly that of young consumers.”

The state provided examples that include cannabis-infused candies that appear to be Life Savers, Mike and Ikes, and Airheads. The packaging of the cannabis candies, for the most part, mirrors that of regular, uninfused candy packaging.

More: Missouri awards second round of marijuana microbusiness licenses, 5 in Springfield

Executive order follows national lawsuits

Companies like Mars, Inc. (Life Savers) and Just Born (Mike and Ikes) are not in the market for creating cannabis-infused treats.

In fact, in 2023, the Wrigley Company, owned by Mars, Inc., settled a lawsuit against Terphogz LLC for trademark infringement. Wrigley alleged that Terphogz, a cannabis manufacturer, had used Wrigley design assets for its Skittles-adjacent and cannabis-infused products, ZKITTLEZ.

Terphogz agreed to stop using slogans like, “Taste the Z Train” and “Taste the Strain Bro,” which Wrigley found to similar to the popularly-recognized Skittles slogan, “Taste the Rainbow,” according to Reuters. Terphogz also agreed to give up its web domain name, zskittles.com.

Wrigley’s case is just one of many. In 2022, Ferrara Candy Company, known for brands like NERDS, obtained a permanent injunction against Higharchy, LCC for trademark infringement. Higharchy, another cannabis manufacturer, was selling cannabis-infused edibles that mimicked the logo and package design of NERDS.

What should you do if you have already purchased an unregulated product or see one for sale?

Consumers who purchased an unregulated cannabis-infused edible ahead of the Aug. 1 executive order should dispose of the product. There is no legal prohibition on disposing of these products in the normal household trash. The U.S. Department of Justice also offers year-round drug disposal locations, for those interested. A searchable list of all locations is available on the DOJ website.

Consumers who spot unregulated cannabis-infused edibles for sale should report the product by virtual form on the DHHS website at stateofmissouri.wufoo.com/forms/report-a-retailer/.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com.

It’s been 244 days since the game clock hit triple-zeros and Missouri football was crowned Cotton Bowl champion.

But Mizzou football is back Thursday evening, as coach Eli Drinkwitz’s team gets set to open the 2024 season with a game against FCS outfit Murray State on Faurot Field.

The team has announced that tickets for the game at Memorial Stadium in Columbia have sold out, marking a sixth straight sellout at Mizzou’s home stadium, which is the Tigers’ longest streak since at least 1980.

On Thursday, Missouri begins a season that carries better odds than perhaps ever before of reaching the College Football Playoff, which is expanding to 12 teams for the first time.

Here is everything you need to know to watch Mizzou open its 2024 season against the Racers, including TV channel, kickoff time and streaming options:

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What channel is Missouri football vs. Murray State today?

TV channel: SEC Network

Stream: FUBO (free trial)

Matt Barrie will be the play-by-play announcer on SEC Network for Missouri versus Murray State, and former Florida coach Dan Mullen will be part of the broadcast as an analyst. Harry Lyles Jr. will be the sideline reporter for the game.

FUBO, which offers a free trial for potential subscribers, will stream the Tigers’ game against the Racers.

Watch Missouri football vs. Murray State free with FUBO

How to listen to Thursday’s game

Local radio: 1580 AM; 105.1 FM

Satellite radio: SiriusXM 81

Tiger Radio Network, as usual, will air the game live with ‘Voice of the Tigers’ Mike Kelly as the play-by-play announcer, Howard Richards as the analyst and Chris Gervino as the sideline reporter.

What time is Missouri vs. Murray State kickoff?

Date: Thursday, Aug. 29

Time: 7 p.m. CDT

For the third straight season, Mizzou is kicking off its season under the stadium lights on a Thursday evening, with kickoff planned for 7 p.m. Thursday on Faurot Field.

The matchup starts a run of four straight home games for Mizzou to open the season.

Missouri football’s full 2024 schedule

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