Governor Parson issues executive order banning the sale of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products in Missouri.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – Governor Mike Parson issued Executive Order 24-10 on Thursday, August 1, which prohibits the sale of edibles containing psychoactive cannabis compounds in Missouri unless they come from an “approved source.”

The regulation also prohibits the sale of psychoactive marijuana products at retail outlets licensed to sell alcohol.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the Department of Health and Senior Services will take steps to embargo and condemn these products.

The governor made the announcement during a news conference at the state Capitol on Thursday. He was joined by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, DHSS Director Paula Nickelson, Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten and Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Superintendent Mike Leara.

“Today we are announcing new actions to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that threaten the health of Missourians,” said Governor Parson. “This Executive Order effectively prohibits the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or the State of Missouri through legislative action. Protecting Missourians, especially our most vulnerable, our children, has been our guiding principle from the beginning and remains so today.”

Attorney General Bailey said Missourians have the right to know exactly what is in these products.

“When purchasing products, Missourians have the right to know if they will be exposed to serious and potentially dangerous side effects, such as psychotic episodes, severe confusion, hallucinations and other life-threatening problems,” he added. “This is especially important when potentially dangerous products appear to be marketed directly to children. To that end, my investigation to root out any illegal activity and hold bad actors accountable is ongoing. As Attorney General, I will always use every tool at my disposal to stop the sale of dangerous, illegal products that harm Missouri consumers, especially children.”

The governor’s office said that because of a lack of oversight, the products are advertised “aggressively and assertively without restraint” in a way that may appeal to young consumers. They say the products often resemble brand-name food and candy.

In Missouri, since 2018, there has been a 600 percent increase in the number of children under the age of 5 experiencing marijuana poisoning that required an emergency room visit or hospitalization, according to a news release.

Additionally, the U.S. Poison Control Center has documented that 41 percent of Delta 8 exposures occur in children 12 years of age and younger.

Executive Order 24-10 prohibits the sale of psychoactive cannabis products in Missouri unless they come from an “approved source.” Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the state of Missouri currently recognize any “approved sources.”

To enforce the ordinance, each liquor license will be subject to a penalty from the Missouri ATC if the business sells psychoactive cannabinoid products.

Executive Order 24-10 does not apply to products subject to the control or authority of the Division of Cannabis Regulation under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution and sold by establishments licensed under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution.

Click here for more information about psychoactive cannabinoids in Missouri, and to use the online form to report sightings of unregulated products.