KC Reporter

Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Parson announced that he has issued Executive Order 24-10, which prohibits the sale of foods containing psychoactive cannabis compounds in the State of Missouri unless originating from an "approved source." The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will take steps to embargo and condemn these products. The order also prohibits psychoactive cannabis products from being sold at retail establishments holding a liquor license.

Governor Parson was joined by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, DHSS Director Paula Nickelson, Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten, and Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) Supervisor Mike Leara during the press conference.

"Today, we are announcing new actions to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that put the health of Missourians at risk," Governor Parson said. "This Executive Order effectively bans the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action. Protecting Missourians, especially the most vulnerable, our children, has been our guiding principle since the very beginning and remains so today."

“Under state law, Missourians have a right to live free from fraud and deception in the marketplace, and they have the right to know exactly what is in the products they consume,” said Attorney General Bailey. "When purchasing products, Missourians have a right to know if they will be subject to serious and potentially dangerous side effects like psychotic episodes, severe confusion, hallucinations and other life-threatening problems. This is especially important when potentially dangerous products appear to be marketed directly at children. To that end, my investigation to root out any illegal activity and to hold bad actors accountable is ongoing. As Attorney General, I will always use every tool at my disposal to halt the sale of dangerous illicit products that harm Missouri consumers, especially children.”

Governor Parson's action comes in response to a recent increase in availability of products containing psychoactive cannabis and emerging concerns regarding their health effects among Missouri's youth. In Missouri, there has been a 600 percent increase in children aged five and under experiencing cannabis poisoning resulting in Emergency Room visits or hospitalizations since 2018. Additionally, America’s Poison Control Center has documented that 41 percent of exposures to Delta 8—a previously unregulated intoxicating hemp product—are occurring in children aged twelve or younger.

These intoxicating compounds are currently untested on humans, unregulated, and sold without restriction. Due to lack of regulatory oversight, these products are marketed aggressively in eye-catching ways designed to attract young consumers. Often resembling brand-name foods and candies like LIFE SAVERS®, consumption puts individuals at risk for poisoning, unintended intoxication, contaminants' effects on the body including impaired driving.

Executive Order 24-10 prohibits psychoactive cannabis products from being sold in Missouri unless originating from an "approved source." Currently neither the Food and Drug Administration nor Missouri recognize any "approved sources," effectively prohibiting sales until necessary regulatory frameworks are established.

As an enforcement mechanism for this order any liquor license will be subject to discipline by Missouri ATC if such psychoactive cannabinoid products are sold within licensed facilities.

Executive Order 24-10 does not apply to products under control or purview of Division of Cannabis Regulation pursuant Article XIV Missouri Constitution sold by licensed establishments per Article XIV.

“We have seen negative impacts firsthand,” DHSS Director Paula F. Nickelson said. “Numerous Missourians have been adversely affected by consuming foods laced with these substances; disturbingly children across nation hospitalized after ingesting them; this is unacceptable.”

“As former state trooper I worked too many fatality crashes resulting misuse regulated intoxicating products,” Department Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said.“But unregulated psychoactive cannabis untested sold without restrictions whatsoever; law enforcement encountering new often dangerous consequences.Governor’s Executive Order provides means control exactly what doing.”

“The Division Alcohol Tobacco Control jurisdiction over about 17k locations liquor licenses statewide team stands ready enforce regulations protect against these unregulated locations,” Division ATC State Supervisor Mike Leara said.“We long history regulating intoxicating related ingredients origin labeling age restrictions bring experience critical issue.”

For FAQ document regarding today's actions see attachment.Information online form reporting sightings available health.mo.gov/report

To view Executive Order 24-10 click here.To view recent DHSS' Health Advisory click here.