“Missouri Hemp Hoax Report” Exposes Illegal Marijuana Sales Masquerading as Hemp Across the State
Today, MoCannTrade is sending out our new investigative report revealing that unregulated retailers across Missouri are selling illegal, intoxicating marijuana products deceptively marketed as “hemp.” The Missouri Hemp Hoax Report is being shared with media, law enforcement, policy leaders, legislators and community leaders to highlight the public safety concern and proliferation of unregulated THC products across Missouri.
By fraudulently calling these intoxicating cannabis products hemp, bad actors are attempting to evade regulation, lab testing requirements, marijuana taxes and safeguards meant to protect the health and public safety of Missourians. Some of these intoxicating products are even being marketed to kids by packaging them to look like candy.
The Missouri Hemp Hoax Report sent 55 products purchased from smoke shops, gas stations, and fake dispensaries statewide to state licensed testing labs and found that 96% were actually marijuana or synthetic THC, not legal hemp. The legal limit for a cannabis plant to be considered hemp is .3% total THC or less. Total THC is a measurement of the combination of Delta-9 THC and THCa, according to federal guidelines.
Most of these products contained far more THC than allowed by law, with one product found to contain up to 89% THC, which is 298 times the legal limit. Additionally, 29% of the products tested positive for dangerous contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
“This report shows a blatant disregard for the law and for the health and safety of Missouri consumers. Missourians voted twice to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana and now bad actors are perpetrating a hoax on Missourians. These unregulated shops are selling untested, untaxed, and often dangerous products that put kids and consumers at risk,”
—-Andrew Mullins, Executive Director of MoCannTrade.
Report Findings
- 96% of tested “hemp” products were actually illegal marijuana or synthetic THC.
- 29% contained harmful contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
- Many products were deceptively packaged to look like popular candy brands, creating clear risks for children.
- Products were purchased in cities across Missouri, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Independence, Springfield, Nixa, and others.
The findings are provided online via www.missourihemphoax.com and include:
- All 55 product COAs (certificates of analysis) from licensed Missouri testing labs
- A comprehensive list of the unregulated purchases, locations and results
- An interactive map of unregulated stores statewide showing how widespread the sale of untested, intoxicating “hemp” products has become in Missouri.
While all marijuana products sold by licensed cannabis dispensaries must be grown, manufactured, tested and sold in Missouri, the overwhelming majority of the unregulated marijuana products sold are produced out of state and increasingly from overseas, including China.
Existing federal and state laws already authorize law enforcement to interdict these products. Under federal law, the 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as containing no more than 0.3% total THC, including both Delta-9 THC and THCa. Any product exceeding that threshold is classified as marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Similarly, synthetic or chemically converted THC compounds such as Delta-8, Delta-10, THC-P, THC-O and HHC remain Schedule I under both state and federal law.
Missouri law also empowers enforcement under Article XIV Section 9.(3) of the Missouri Constitution and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) to stop deceptive sales of intoxicating products marketed as hemp.
If You See Something, Say Something
As we have encouraged, your complaints and concerns to local law enforcement and Attorney General Hanaway regarding these unregulated THC products and public safety are more important than ever!
Hanaway said her office is preparing a statewide initiative to target unregulated and illegal sales, including vape products and other substances sold to minors.
“We are both interested in people who are illegally selling to underage people and the unregulated products that are being sold in convenience stores,” Hanaway said. “Delta-8, THCA, it’s a real threat because they aren’t tested, they aren’t regulated, they aren’t taxed, and they’re getting sold to minors.”
Please report any instances of unregulated, unlicensed retailers selling marijuana, synthetic marijuana or unregulated THC products merchandised as attractive to children to your local PD and the AG complaint portal.
Resources
- Full Missouri Hemp Hoax Report (PDF): Download Here
- Interactive Map of Unregulated Retailers:
- Missouri THC/THCa Legal Basis Document: Download Here
- Website: www.MissouriHempHoax.
com
