Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe just threw his weight behind a tough new bill to pull intoxicating hemp THC products off store shelves. These candy-like items pack a punch and land right in kids’ hands too easily. Lawmakers rushed the measure to his desk last week, and he calls it a must-do fix.
Governor Mike Kehoe made his stance crystal clear on Sunday’s This Week in Missouri Politics show. He wants these illegal drugs in candy form gone from shelves where kids can grab them.
His office plans a full review of the bill’s details. Still, Kehoe praised how it lines up with federal rules coming soon. Retailers get until November to clear stock and adjust.
Kehoe first flagged this issue in his January State of the State speech. He vowed to block dangerous stuff like intoxicating hemp from young people.
Bill Targets Intoxicating Hemp Products
House Bill 2641 hits hard on hemp-derived THC goods that get you high. Starting November 12, these products vanish from gas stations, bars, and grocery stores. Only licensed marijuana spots can sell them after that.
The law redefines hemp to cap any THC type at 0.3 percent or 0.4 milligrams per item. Think THC seltzers, gummies, and edibles now sold anywhere.
| Product Type | Current Sales Spots | New Rules |
|---|---|---|
| THC Seltzers | Bars, grocery stores | Dispensaries only |
| Hemp Gummies | Smoke shops, gas stations | Dispensaries only |
| Edibles/Candies | Convenience stores | Dispensaries only |
This matches a federal ban set for the same date.
Lawmakers Push Bill Through Swiftly
Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, sponsored HB 2641. The House approved it 126 to 23. The Senate tweaked it after long talks and passed 25 to 5.
Democrats added smart changes. One shields marijuana buyers’ privacy. Dispensaries cannot keep personal data unless you agree. Another lets cannabis workers form unions.
Bipartisan votes show wide worry over unregulated THC sales. The bill zipped to Kehoe’s desk by early April.
No big fights held it up. Senate filibuster attempts failed fast.
Hemp Shops Face Shutdown Fears
Over 40,000 spots sold these products in 2024, from restaurants to smoke shops. Owners now scramble.
James Smith runs a St. Charles hemp store. He warns of layoffs and closures in a chain reaction. Hundreds of jobs hang in the balance.
Lobby groups like MOHempTrade push for a veto. They say 95 percent of hemp businesses could fold. Enforcement might cost the state nearly $900,000.
- Key worries from sellers:
- Sudden stock wipeout by November.
- No time to switch products.
- Lost income for small family shops.
Marijuana insiders cheer it. They see fair play in one regulated market.
States like Missouri lead as feds close hemp loopholes. President Trump signed national limits last year.
Kehoe’s push blends kid safety with law order. This ban could reshape how Missouri handles THC, pushing all high stuff into checked channels.
Stores adjust now. Buyers learn limits ahead. The change hits daily life, from corner grabs to safe choices.
As shelves empty, families gain peace.
