New report reveals the illegal hemp-derived THC product market in Missouri, U.S.A.
Products that are below 0.3% THC in federal or state law are hemp products; products above this limit are marijuana products.
It is possible to manipulate the non-intoxicating and legal CBD derived by hemp in order to produce various THC forms such as Delta 8, Delta 10 THC Acetate, THC P, and HHC. It has led to some companies making money while avoiding higher taxes, stringent regulations and costly compliance obligations.
The local cannabis industry is also affected by this issue. This includes 500+ small business that employs 20,000+ Missourians directly and serves more than 125,000 adults and over 125,000 patients.
MoCannTrade represents Missouri cannabis businesses and professionals. MoCannTrade, an association of Missouri cannabis business owners and professionals, sent 55 products to Missouri licensed testing laboratories in order to demonstrate the severity of the problem. The results are posted on a dedicated website. MissouriHempHoax.
Lab reports show that 96% of products were not hemp but marijuana, or synthetic THC. Both are illegal under federal law.
MoCannTrade says, “This report shows an egregious disregard for Missouri’s laws and the safety and health of Missourians.”
In most cases, the THC level in products was between 10 and 80%. In addition, 16 out of 55 products tested negative for contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.
This group claims that sometimes the greatest lies are hidden right in front of you. As each month passes, there are more and more unscrupulous people flooding the market by selling unlicensed cannabis and calling it “hemp” or packaging that is attractive to kids but actually contains designer drugs.
MoCannTrade says banning or restricting such products would not negatively impact legitimate Missouri hemp farmers, as most of the intoxicating products are sourced from outside Missouri — and at times, outside the country.
Missouri Hemp Hoax Report in full can be downloaded here.
The San Diego/Imperial Counties Joint Labor Management Cannabis Committee released a “hemp scam” report earlier this summer, in which they found a situation similar to that of California.