“Missouri Hemp Hoax Report” exposes illegal marijuana sales masquerading as hemp at unregulated retailers across the state

A new investigative report released today reveals that unregulated retailers across Missouri are selling illegal, intoxicating marijuana products deceptively marketed as “hemp.” By fraudulently calling these intoxicating cannabis products hemp, bad actors are attempting to evade regulation, lab testing requirements, marijuana taxes and safeguards meant to protect the health and public safety of Missourians. Some of these intoxicating products are even being marketed to kids by packaging them to look like candy.

The Missouri Hemp Hoax Report sent 55 products purchased from smoke shops, gas stations, and fake dispensaries statewide to state licensed testing labs and found that 96% were actually marijuana or synthetic THC, not legal hemp. The legal limit for a cannabis plant to be considered hemp is .3% total THC or less. Total THC is a measurement of the combination of Delta-9 THC and THCa, according to federal guidelines. Most of these products contained far more THC than allowed by law, with one product found to contain up to 89% THC, which is 298 times the legal limit. Additionally, 29% of the products tested positive for dangerous contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.

“This report shows a blatant disregard for the law and for the health and safety of Missouri consumers. Missourians voted twice to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana and now bad actors are perpetrating a hoax on Missourians. These unregulated shops are selling untested, untaxed, and often dangerous products that put kids and consumers at risk,” said Andrew Mullins, Executive Director of MoCannTrade.

The findings are provided online via www.missourihemphoax.com and include all 55 product test COAs (certificates of analysis) from licensed Missouri testing labs, a comprehensive list of the unregulated product purchases, locations and results and an interactive map of unregulated stores statewide showing how widespread the sale of untested, intoxicating “hemp” products has become in Missouri.

Report Findings

96% of tested “hemp” products were actually illegal marijuana or synthetic THC.
29% contained harmful contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
Many products were deceptively packaged to look like popular candy brands, creating clear risks for children.
Products were purchased in cities across Missouri, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Independence, Springfield, Nixa, and others.

While all marijuana products sold by licensed cannabis dispensaries must be grown, manufactured, tested and sold in Missouri, the overwhelming majority of the unregulated marijuana products sold are produced out of state and increasingly from overseas, including China.

Existing federal and state laws already authorize law enforcement to interdict these products. Under federal law, the 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as containing no more than 0.3% total THC, including both Delta-9 THC and THCa. Any product exceeding that threshold is classified as marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Similarly, synthetic or chemically converted THC compounds such as Delta-8, Delta-10, and HHC remain Schedule I controlled substances under both state and federal law. Missouri law also empowers enforcement under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) to stop deceptive sales of intoxicating products marketed as hemp.

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The report was written by MoCannTrade (The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association,) an association of business owners, professionals, patients and consumers responsible for helping to implement successful, safe, compliant medical and adult use cannabis programs in Missouri.

The membership-based association is directed by a board of diverse professionals experienced in cannabis production and retail, healthcare, law, pharma, science, agriculture, law enforcement and security, finance, public affairs and regulatory sectors.