Delta-8 food products banned in Missouri via Parson executive order

Gov. Mike Parson issued an executive order banning certain unregulated psychoactive cannabis products such as delta-8, and at least one CEO who operates in the state's legal marijuana industry is welcoming the move.

Parson's Executive Order 24-10, announced yesterday in a news release, specifically prohibits the sale of foods containing unregulated psychoactive cannabis compounds, as well as the sale of such products at retail establishments that hold liquor licenses.

Products sold through the state's legal marijuana industry – medical marijuana was approved in 2018, and adult-use, or recreational, marijuana got the nod in 2022 – are not impacted by the executive order, nor are CBD products that do not have psychoactive effects. Unregulated psychoactive cannabis products sold in other forms, such as for use in smoking and vaping, have been banned under the executive order at licensed liquor facilities, said Johnathan Shiflett, deputy communications director and press secretary for Parson's office.

"Today, we are announcing new actions to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that put the health of Missourians at risk," Parson said in the release. "This executive order effectively bans the sale of these potentially harmful products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or state of Missouri through legislative action.

"Protecting Missourians, especially the most vulnerable, our children, has been our guiding principle since the very beginning and remains so today."

The CEO of Greenlight Dispensary, which operates state-licensed dispensaries statewide, including locations in Springfield and Branson, commended Parson's executive order in a separate news release.

"Cannabis products are subject to strict regulatory oversight. Our products at Greenlight undergo rigorous testing for approximately 54 different impurities, ensuring that Missouri patients and consumers have access to safe, high-quality options," said John Mueller, Greenlight's CEO, in the release. "This level of scrutiny should be the standard across the industry."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a consumer warning on its website indicating delta-8 products have serious health risks and that marketing can be appealing to children.

Parson's office says unregulated psychoactive cannabis products often are sold in packaging that resemble brand-name foods and candies. At a news conference announcing the executive order, he held up bags of such products that appeared to be LifeSavers candies.

“Under state law, Missourians have a right to live free from fraud and deception in the marketplace, and they have the right to know exactly what is in the products they consume,” Attorney General Bailey said in the release. "When purchasing products, Missourians have a right to know if they will be subject to serious and potentially dangerous side effects like psychotic episodes, severe confusion, hallucinations and other life-threatening problems. This is especially important when potentially dangerous products appear to be marketed directly at children.”