Hemp business owners in Missouri are organizing a new ballot initiative aimed at significantly overhauling cannabis regulations in the state. Spearheaded by Kansas City-based American Shaman and industry lobbyist Eapen Thampy, the proposal seeks to remove cannabis regulation from the state constitution and align oversight more closely with existing alcohol and tobacco laws.
“Part of the idea here is to remove that regulatory mandate in the Missouri Constitution,” said Thampy during a Monday conference call, according to the Missouri Independent. “We devolve regulatory authority back to the Missouri General Assembly, the elected representative of the people where it belongs.”
The proposed initiative would maintain cannabis legality during the transition, remove criminal penalties for possession over the current legal limit, and preserve existing cannabis tax rates. Though the exact language is not finalized, organizers say they plan to submit the petition to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office by August.
The campaign follows a recent crackdown on hemp-derived THC products in Missouri. Last month, Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued cease and desist letters to 18 retailers, ordering them to halt the sale of hemp flower products.
Supporters argue that the change would allow cannabis retailers to compete in the same market as alcohol and tobacco sellers. “We want to give marijuana operators an opportunity to pursue the consumer dollar in the mass market, as the hemp side already does,” Thampy said.
However, not everyone in the industry is on board. Andrew Mullins, Executive Director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, criticized the plan as risky and misleading.
“Missourians aren’t about to take hundreds of millions away from local communities, veterans, and our justice system,” Mullins said, “all in hopes that politicians will eventually replace it with something down the road.”
As the debate unfolds, the initiative could mark a turning point in how cannabis is governed and sold across Missouri.
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