Missouri House Votes to Ban Hemp-Derived THC Products

The Missouri House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would prohibit the sale of hemp-derived THC products in the state, advancing a measure that aligns with recent federal restrictions on intoxicating hemp compounds.

HB 2641, sponsored by state Rep. Dave Hinman (R), cleared the House chamber and now moves to the Senate for consideration. According to Hinman, the bill essentially replicates language from the federal spending package approved in December that cracked down on hemp-derived cannabinoids.

"We're mirroring what the federal government has already done," Hinman said, referring to the Farm Bill provisions that restricted the sale of intoxicating hemp products nationwide.

The Federal Connection

The timing of Missouri's legislation isn't coincidental. Congress included provisions in its December 2024 spending bill that effectively banned the sale of hemp-derived intoxicating products—a move that caught many in the hemp industry off guard. Those federal restrictions targeted products containing delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and other synthetic cannabinoids derived from hemp that have flooded gas stations and convenience stores across the country.

Missouri's bill follows that federal framework, though state lawmakers are moving to codify the restrictions into state law rather than relying solely on federal enforcement. The approach gives Missouri authorities direct jurisdiction over hemp product sales within state borders.

The legislation comes as Missouri's regulated cannabis market continues to mature following voter approval of adult-use sales in 2022. Licensed dispensaries have argued that unregulated hemp products undercut their businesses while avoiding the testing requirements and taxes that legal cannabis faces.

Industry Impact

For Missouri's hemp retailers—many of whom built businesses around delta-8 and other hemp-derived products—the ban represents an existential threat. These products have generated hundreds of millions in sales nationally since 2019, when a legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill made their production technically legal.

But the regulatory landscape has shifted dramatically. Multiple states have moved to restrict or ban intoxicating hemp products, and the federal crackdown has accelerated that trend. Missouri now joins states like Arkansas, Colorado, and Oregon in taking action against the unregulated hemp market.

The bill's passage in the House suggests strong support for bringing hemp-derived intoxicants under tighter control. Yet questions remain about enforcement mechanisms and whether the legislation includes any transition period for existing businesses.

What's Next

The Senate will now take up HB 2641, though the timeline for consideration remains unclear. If approved and signed into law, Missouri would effectively close the door on the hemp-derived THC market that has operated in a legal gray area for the past several years.

The legislation's fate may hinge on how senators balance competing interests: licensed cannabis operators pushing for a level playing field, hemp businesses fighting for survival, and public health advocates concerned about unregulated intoxicating products.

Missouri's move also signals how states are responding to the federal government's December action. Rather than waiting for federal enforcement, state legislatures are taking matters into their own hands—a pattern that could accelerate as more states consider similar restrictions in 2025.

This article is based on original reporting by ganjapreneur.com.