10,000 Missouri Hemp Advocates Are Holding Their Breath—Will the Governor Make a Shocking Move?

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A coalition of Missouri hemp farmers and business owners took a bold step on Tuesday, delivering 10,000 letters to Governor Mike Kehoe’s office. Their message is clear: they are urging him to veto House Bill 2641, legislation they claim threatens to dismantle the burgeoning hemp industry in the state.

House Bill 2641 mandates that Missouri retailers must remove hemp-based products such as seltzers and gummies from their shelves by November 12. Though products containing less than 0.4 milligrams of THC will still be allowed, critics argue that the bill, which aligns with federal regulations coming into effect on the same day, could spell disaster for local businesses.

The bill establishes the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act, which stipulates that all hemp-derived cannabinoid products can only be sold by entities licensed under Missouri's marijuana framework, overseen by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Jay Patel, representing the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, voiced significant concerns about the potential fallout. “If signed, it would effectively eliminate an entire industry in Missouri, the hemp industry,” he stated, highlighting an economic study which projects that the hemp beverage sector alone could generate approximately $75.4 million annually in the state.

Patel emphasized that the volume of letters delivered reflects genuine anxiety among consumers, business owners, and employees across Missouri. “These are not signatures or online petitions. These are consumers, business owners, employees that have taken the time out of their day to let them know what hemp means to them in this state,” he remarked.

Among those affected is hemp farmer Brian Riegel, who expressed his frustration. “As a farmer, I’m not going to be able to grow this year because we’re not going to be able to process this fall,” he lamented, underscoring the immediate repercussions the bill could have on local agriculture.

In defense of the legislation, Republican Representative Dave Hinman, who sponsored the bill, argues that it is necessary to protect children from potentially intoxicating products. “I wanted to set up rules and regulations to try to make sure that kids couldn’t get ahold of the products that were out there,” Hinman stated. He reassured the public that non-intoxicating hemp products, such as those used for clothing and textiles, would still be permitted under the new rules.

Hinman further noted that while the bill aims to tighten regulations, it also allows for the continued production of non-intoxicating hemp products like CBD, which have gained significant traction in recent years.

As Governor Kehoe's office continues to review the bill, the future of Missouri's hemp industry hangs in the balance. Advocates are bracing for either a sustainable path forward or a drastic setback that could stifle an industry they believe holds immense potential for economic growth and innovation within the state.