Legislative push for hemp regulation in Missouri has divided path
Missouri cannabis once again stands at a crux as several key pieces of legislation, including the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act (ICCA), continue to advance through the state’s legislative process.
Many of these bills aim to regulate intoxicating cannabinoid products derived from hemp. From flower to edibles, beverages to vapes, and everything in between, the THC hemp market has exploded since the legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill.
In the time since, many states have created regulations governing the sale or production of intoxicating hemp products, and in several cases states have placed outright bans on intoxicating hemp products.
On a national level, legislators in Washington D.C., actively sought to redefine industrial hemp to include total THC in the 2024 Farm Bill. The American Relief Act, 2025, signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill) for one year through Sept. 30, 2025, which means we could still see federal intervention on hemp as early as this Fall.
But ahead of any federal policy, Missouri cannabis operators and legislators hope that this year they can finalize rules governing intoxicating hemp in the state.
With spring break just ahead, a sprint to the end of legislative session lies just around the corner.
Of the 17 pieces of cannabis-related legislation proposed in Missouri this year, a handful have made significant strides, with the ICCA currently having the clearest path to the floor.
Both The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade) and Missouri Hemp Trade Association (MoHempTrade) are actively involved in these discussions, each advocating for their preferred regulatory approaches.
While both associations agree on the need for regulation, their strategies differ significantly, reflecting broader debates within the industry.
Currently, Missouri has no laws governing the sale or production of hemp-derived products. That means there is no legal age restriction, no packaging or child safety restrictions, and no testing requirements for these products. While many operators and retailers exercise discretion in the manufacture and sale of intoxicating hemp products, especially to minors, there is no formal recourse or legal ramification for those who don’t.
The ICCA bills, Senate Bill 54 (SB 54) and House Bill 593 (HB 593), introduced by Senator Nick Schroer, R- St. Charles County, and Representative Chad Perkins, R- Bowling Green, respectively, have made significant progress in the Missouri legislature. SB 54 was passed out of the Families, Seniors, and Health Committee with a 5-1 vote and is set on the formal calendar for perfection. HB 593 also cleared the Crime & Public Safety Committee with a 12-5 vote and is scheduled to be heard today by the Administrative Rules Committee.
The ICCA aims to regulate intoxicating cannabinoids, which are derived from hemp but produce effects similar to marijuana, under Missouri’s existing marijuana regulatory framework, including restricting sales of all intoxicating cannabinoid products to Missouri dispensaries – with one caveat.
As part of a compromise to garner more support, the language of the ICCA has been adjusted to carve out hemp-derived, low-dose THC beverages. These beverages would be limited to 5 mg of THC per 12 oz serving, with a maximum of four servings per package. This exception would allow hemp beverages to be regulated separately by the Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) and would not be subject to the DCR’s Article XIV program, meaning that the hemp derived beverage category would be largely unimpacted by the new regulations.
MoCannTrade, which strongly supports the ICCA, has emphasized the importance of utilizing the existing infrastructure for marijuana regulation to manage intoxicating cannabinoids.
According to MoCannTrade, this approach is not only more cost-effective but also more efficient than creating a new, parallel system of regulation.
“The emerging consensus is clear: if it’s intoxicating and comes from the cannabis plant, it’s marijuana, and Missouri law should treat it as such,” MoCannTrade stated in a recent release.
Opposition to ICCA
That sentiment and the “consensus” are sticking points for many hemp operators and the Missouri Hemp Trade Association.
From their perspective, the ICCA signifies the loss of thousands of jobs and the forced closure of already operational businesses, more than 9000 locations in Missouri currently sell hemp-derived products.
While the ICCA has been the most visible intoxicating hemp bill, several other hemp-derived bills have been offered this year, including one supported by MoHempTrade, House Bill 696 (HB 696) proposed by Representative Ben Baker, R-Neosho.
HB 696 sought to create a full-scale framework for hemp, separate from marijuana regulation, that would create age restrictions on sales, testing guidelines, licensing procedures, limits on THC content and more. However, the bill was whittled down due to concerns over its fiscal implications – it was earmarked with an almost $100 million operating cost in the fiscal note. The revised version, which proposed only restrictions on age gating for sales and purchase, was voted down 1-12 in the General Laws Committee.
MoHempTrade has been vocal over the last two years in its support of creating regulations to protect consumers and minors, but has been uncompromising on relegating sales of intoxicating hemp-derived products exclusively to marijuana dispensaries.
“We still feel confident in our ability to ultimately defeat harmful legislation if necessary,” MoHempTrade stated in a recent update. The association continues to support efforts that focus on regulating hemp-derived products and has met with legislators to discuss other hemp-related bills, including Representative Dave Hinman, R – O’Fallon, who introduced House Bill 393 (HB 393) which creates a three-tiered system for hemp products. Hinman’s bill remains in committee.
Advocacy and outreach
Both MoCannTrade and MoHempTrade continue to encourage direct engagement from industry stakeholders as the debate over cannabis regulation in Missouri heats up.
MoCannTrade has emphasized the importance of grassroots support, urging members to reach out to legislators to advocate in favor of the ICCA.
Conversely, MoHempTrade has been working to educate legislators on the potential impact of the ICCA on hemp operators and businesses in the state.
As Missouri’s legislative session progresses, lawmakers will face a critical decision on how to regulate hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. No matter which piece of legislation reaches the floor, the most important battles may come as amendments are proposed and debated in real-time. Any piece of cannabis legislation could see drastic change before a final vote is cast.
