Massive Lawsuit: St. Louis Smoke Shop Faces $1 Million Penalty Over Shocking THC Snack Scandal!

In a significant legal action, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a lawsuit against Pressure STL, a smoke shop located in south St. Louis. The lawsuit accuses the business of selling unregulated THC-infused candies and snacks that closely resemble popular name brands, raising serious health concerns. The edibles in question are described as “intoxicating” and marketed in ways that could mislead consumers about their effects.

The lawsuit was formally filed on Tuesday and stems from an investigation carried out by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in October 2025. During this investigation, officials visited Pressure STL, located at 3956 South Broadway, and purchased several cannabis-infused products as part of a wider inquiry into the shop's operations.

According to the lawsuit, investigators found **THC-infused items** packaged as familiar snacks, including “Skittles,” “Stoney Patch Kids,” “Chips Ahoy!” and “Milky Way.” The complaint highlights that the packaging of these products was "either identical or confusingly similar" to their non-cannabis counterparts, potentially leading consumers—especially children—to mistake them for regular candies.

Upon detailed examination, investigators discovered alarming potency levels in these products. Each piece of the THC-infused Skittles reportedly contained **20 mg of THC**, while a single Milky Way candy bar was found to have a staggering **1,000 mg of delta-9 THC**. These levels exceed the legal threshold by nearly six times, with the Skittles showing **1.8% THC potency** and the Milky Way bar at **1.7%**. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that one cookie from the THC-infused “Chips Ahoy” bag has enough THC to intoxicate most consumers, according to industry standards.

The lawsuit also alleges that Pressure STL sidestepped regulatory requirements, failing to conduct necessary testing on its products. By doing so, the shop operated outside of Missouri’s constitutional framework regarding cannabis. The lawsuit further asserts that the marketing strategies employed were aimed at children, escalating concerns about public health.

“Emboldened by willful ignorance, the hemp industry manufactures and distributes goods to target Missouri’s children and adolescents that contain intoxicating, addictive, and harmful substances,” the lawsuit states.

This legal action has also highlighted a troubling trend in cannabis exposure among children. The Missouri Poison Center reported a dramatic increase in calls regarding cannabis exposure among children aged five and younger. In 2018, there were just seven calls, but that number skyrocketed to **168 calls** by 2023, indicating a growing public health issue.

As a remedy, the lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to **$1,000 per violation** of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Additionally, it aims for a permanent injunction to prevent Pressure STL from selling any cannabis products in the future.

In a statement regarding the lawsuit, Attorney General Hanaway emphasized the importance of consumer protection. “We will not stand idly by as adolescents are indoctrinated into addiction by unlicensed businesses prioritizing profit over consumers,” she said. “My Office will not tolerate drug dealers hiding behind candy wrappers.”

This case underscores ongoing concerns about the regulation of cannabis-infused products, particularly as they relate to the safety of children. As states continue to navigate the complexities of cannabis legalization and marketing, the implications of this lawsuit could set important precedents for the future of the industry in Missouri and beyond.