Small businesses react to state ban on hemp-derived THC edible products

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order on Aug. 1 to remove all hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages from store shelves, threatening penalties for any establishment that continues to sell them.

Among those affected is Highbread, a food truck in Columbia, that has been serving hemp-infused products. The owner, McPeak, expressed concern over the impact of the ban, particularly on small businesses like theirs that they say have followed regulations.

“The thing that jumped out to me is that they definitely pinpointed food,” McPeak said. “There aren’t a lot of small businesses that deal with cannabis as an edible product. We always marked our products for those over 21, and we always ID when people come to the food truck. We were regulated by our local food department because we are a food service, so we went to our local health department, and they helped us choose a product that was within the guidelines of what was being asked as far as hemp products go.”

McPeak fears that small businesses may be overshadowed as larger entities enter the market.

“Being a small business, we may get lost in the shuffle of it becoming a big business entity,” McPeak said. “I feel like we may not even have an opportunity if they decide to change the licensing. We might just be shut out of the market.”

In response to the governor’s order, the Missouri Hemp Trade Association filed a lawsuit Friday in Cole County Circuit Court to stop the ban on intoxicating hemp food and drinks from taking effect on Sunday.

Chad Jones Hicks, who started his business, High Eats, five months ago, has been forced to upend his business model because of the new regulations.

Hicks said businesses face challenges with finding approved products.

Hicks said the Missouri Department of Agriculture will be designated as an approved source.

“They already regulate the dispensaries and things like that, so if they are going to be the approved source, and it’s going to take them a while to get this going, it’s going to hurt a lot of businesses in the state of Missouri right now who use Delta-8 and Delta-10.”

For businesses that sell infused food, the future looks uncertain.

“For the people who have straight infused food, this is it,” Hicks said. “This is their business. They will not be able to sell any more of their product.”

As the legal battle unfolds, business owners like McPeak and Hicks are urging the public to stay informed and understand the implications of the ban.

“I just ask that the public really take a look at what’s happening, make sure they really take a look and understand.” McPeak said.

Parson rebuked Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for refusing to grant emergency rules to ban the sale of unregulated intoxicating cannabis products.

In a response to an email inquiry from KOMU 8, Ashcroft’s office said he raised concerns about the legality of the rule. Ashcroft said he reached out to the executive branch to seek an explanation of how the rule met the legal requirements as defined in statute but received no response.