Missouri Hemp Leaders Push for Unified Sales of THC Products
In a significant move, Missouri hemp business leaders, spearheaded by Kansas City-based American Shaman, are rallying support for an initiative petition aimed at allowing marijuana and intoxicating hemp products to be sold alongside alcohol and tobacco. The proposal seeks to repeal the existing constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in 2022, advocating for regulations comparable to those governing alcohol and tobacco sales.
The campaign, branded under the newly formed political committee "Missourians for a Single Market," intends to devolve regulatory authority back to the Missouri General Assembly, where it is believed decisions belong. Eapen Thampy, an industry lobbyist, stated that the planned petition would ensure cannabis remains legal while allowing lawmakers to craft new, less burdensome regulations.
While the initiative’s language is still being finalized, it aims to eliminate criminal offenses for excessive marijuana possession and maintain current taxes on cannabis products. Businesses would be able to obtain licenses for sales using a process similar to that for alcohol and tobacco retailers.
However, the proposal faces criticism from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which deems it a "bait and switch." Executive Director Andrew Mullins highlighted that the regulated marijuana industry generated $241 million in tax revenues last year alone, underscoring the electorate’s prior support for cannabis regulation.
As the hemp sector grapples with legal uncertainties following cease-and-desist letters from the state Attorney General, advocates hope that this initiative could unify both industries and facilitate a cohesive market for THC products in Missouri.
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