On Thursday, Governor Mike Parson signed an Executive Order that prohibits the sale of foods containing psychoactive cannabis compounds in the State of Missouri, unless originating from an “approved source.” The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will take steps to embargo and condemn these products. The order also prohibits psychoactive cannabis products from being sold at retail establishments holding a liquor license.
“Today, we are announcing new actions to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that put the health of Missourians at risk,” Governor Parson said. “This Executive Order effectively bans the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action.”
The Executive Order comes in response to a recent increase in the availability of products containing psychoactive cannabis and the emerging concerns regarding the health effects of these substances, especially among Missouri’s youth. In Missouri, there has been a 600% increase in the number of children 5 and under experiencing cannabis poisoning that resulted in Emergency Room visits or hospitalizations since 2018. Additionally, America’s Poison Control Center has documented that 41% of exposures of Delta 8, an unregulated intoxicating hemp product, are occurring in children 12 and younger.
These intoxicating compounds are currently untested in humans, unregulated, and sold to the public without restriction. Due to a lack of regulatory oversight, these products are marketed aggressively and assertively in eye-catching ways to attract public consumption, particularly to young consumers. Products often resemble brand-name foods and candies.