Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) has expressed support for legislation restricting intoxicating hemp-derived THC products now awaiting his signature.
"At a high level, I'm very much in favor of taking these illegal drugs in the form of the candies and stuff off of the shelves for kids to be able to buy," Kehoe said on This Week in Missouri Politics, which aired Sunday. His office will conduct "bill review" on specific provisions, but he broadly supports the legislation's aims.
"The way the legislation is drawn up is it helps us match the federal standard that's coming down on these issues," Kehoe said, referring to national restrictions President Donald Trump signed late last year that are set to take effect in November. "So it gives everybody, retailers, I think, until November, to get their shelves corrected and get in the right spot. But, definitely something we need to get done."
HB 2641, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinman (R), would bring Missouri in line with incoming federal rules by removing products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container from the legal hemp definition. Hemp-derived cannabinoid products would be classified as marijuana and regulated under the state's marijuana framework by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The restrictions take effect November 12, concurrent with the federal policy. Senate amendments added provisions protecting marijuana consumers' privacy and recognizing cannabis industry workers' right to unionize.
