House passes bill making intoxicating hemp products illegal

By Kennedy Voss, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill Thursday that would make intoxicating hemp products illegal.
Currently, hemp and marijuana are considered different products, with hemp being classified as containing under 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Many gas stations, convenience stores and other retailers sell hemp products such as chewables.
The sponsor of House Bill 2641, Rep. Dave Hinman, R-O’Fallon, said his legislation is to make the state’s laws align with new federal regulations that begin Nov. 12 and make those products illegal.
“This bill codifies what the federal government said in November of 2025, that any intoxicating hemp-derived product is illegal as of Nov. 12, 2026,” he said.
Supporters of the bill see alignment as necessary, saying retailers have been abusing the system.
“All we’re saying is that the federal government went back to address the loophole that had been exploited,” said Rep. Jeff Myers, R-Warrenton. “We’re closing that back up, mirroring their language.”
Critics of the bill say it will harm small businesses because if federal law was changed to allow the sale of hemp products, the bill would require them to be sold only through state-regulated dispensaries.
Some said the bill would negatively impact customers who consume the products for medicinal purposes.
“You’re now putting mom-and-pop shops out of business in rural communities where they do not have access to health care,” said Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis.
Bosley also expressed confusion about an amendment to the bill that she said carves out the sale of THC beverages. She said this amendment does not align with the new federal rules, which apply to all products, including beverages.
“I don’t disagree that there’s a problem,” she said, “but your amendment specifically carves out an entire industry, saying that ‘everybody else is bad, but you guys are OK. You’re good to go.’”
Hinman confirmed that while several hemp trade associations were present for discussions of the bill, they were not aware of the new beverage amendment.
The bill passed 109-34, with six members voting present.
Similar bills have passed in the House in recent years but have stalled in the Senate. The Senate is currently debating similar bills to regulate the sale of hemp products.