Missouri Senate Approves Bill to Shift Intoxicating Hemp Products Into Marijuana Market
- Missouri Senate approved House Bill 2641 to overhaul the state’s hemp market, sending it back to the House for a final vote due to Senate amendments.
- The bill would reclassify many intoxicating hemp-derived products, like delta-8 and delta-10 THC, as marijuana, requiring them to be regulated through the state’s licensed marijuana system rather than sold in gas stations or unlicensed stores.
- Strict enforcement measures include fines up to $5,000 per transaction and possible Class D felony charges for businesses selling these products outside the licensed system, with enforcement led by the Attorney General and other agencies.
- The bill also allows consumers to request dispensaries not retain identifying purchase records and, if passed, key provisions would take effect on November 12, 2026, aligning some regulations with federal hemp policies.
Missouri lawmakers are moving closer to overhauling the state’s hemp market, with the Senate giving approval to House Bill 2641 by a vote of 25 to 5, sending the amended proposal back to the House for a final concurrence vote.
The measure previously cleared the House in February by a vote of 109 to 34, but must now receive another vote of approval due to changes made in the Senate.
The bill would reclassify a wide range of intoxicating hemp-derived products as marijuana, requiring them to be produced, tested, transported and sold exclusively through the state’s licensed marijuana system.
This includes products containing cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC and other compounds that are either synthesized or marketed for intoxicating effects. Under the proposal, these items would no longer be sold in gas stations, smoke shops or unlicensed retail outlets, and instead would fall under Missouri’s existing regulatory framework for marijuana businesses.
The legislation establishes that all “hemp-derived cannabinoid products” meeting certain criteria would legally be treated as marijuana and regulated accordingly. This would place the entire supply chain—from manufacturing to retail sales—under the authority of agencies that oversee the state’s marijuana industry.
The bill also includes strict enforcement provisions. Businesses that continue to sell these products outside of the licensed system would face a $5,000 fine per transaction and could be charged with a Class D felony. State regulators, law enforcement agencies, and the Attorney General would all have authority to enforce the new rules, with the Attorney General taking a leading role.
The bill would also allow consumers to request that dispensaries not retain records containing their identifying information, adding an additional layer of privacy for marijuana purchases.
If enacted, key provisions of the bill would take effect November 12, 2026, with certain product categories tied to federal hemp policy changes and timelines.
With Senate approval now secured, the House is expected to take up the amended version soon, marking the final step before the proposal is sent to the governor.