Three competing bills with proposals to regulate the hemp industry have been introduced in Missouri.
A proposal from state Rep. Barry Hovis, a Republican representing Missouri District 146, would regulate only hemp-derived beverages and establish the same three-tier distribution system long used by the state alcohol industry, according to the Missouri Independent newspaper.
That bill is supported by the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association and opposed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association.
Another bill, sponsored by state Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican representing Missouri District 103, would regulate beverages as well as impose guidelines for edibles, tinctures and vapes.
The hemp trade group believes both bills set THC potency caps that are too low.
In the final proposal, state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican representing Missouri District 2, again sponsored legislation that would ban the majority of intoxicating hemp and require eligible products to be sold through regulated medical marijuana dispensaries.
The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association supports Schroer’s bill.
Each of the proposals would make the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control responsible for regulating hemp licenses and operators, the newspaper reported.
In September, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered the state’s Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) to remove products containing intoxicating hemp substances from the market, citing health concerns, youth access and a lack of research on psychoactive hemp-derived products.
Parson issued the order after Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft rejected the governor’s ban on hemp-derived THC in an Aug. 1 executive order.
Meanwhile, the sale of products containing intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids resumed in late September, after lawmakers shifted enforcement priorities.
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