JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office has sued four retailers for allegedly selling marijuana products falsely marketed as hemp and deceptively presenting themselves as lawful cannabis dispensaries.
The AG’s office also recently secured a victory in defending Missouri’s law closing the so‑called hemp loophole as the state prepares to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed sellers of intoxicating cannabinoid products.
Hanaway
“Missourians deserve honesty and legality from the businesses operating in their communities. The days of drug pushers masquerading as licensed dispensaries are over,” Hanaway said. “These businesses concealed the true nature of their products, misled consumers, and put profits ahead of public safety.
“Our office will continue using every tool available to hold bad actors accountable and protect Missouri families.”
The Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuits against Puffers Choice LLC in Aurora, CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary in Des Peres, Herb Depot in Independence and Token THC Dispensary in Rock Port.
According to the lawsuits, these businesses marketed products as federally legal hemp while selling products that exceeded legal THC limits and therefore constituted marijuana under Missouri law. Several defendants also marketed themselves as dispensaries or otherwise suggested that their products were subject to the same regulatory framework as Missouri’s licensed marijuana industry.
These enforcement actions come as Missouri prepares to strengthen oversight of intoxicating cannabinoid products, with key provisions of House Bill 2641 scheduled to take effect on November 12.
Last week, a U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri judge dismissed a challenge to the law, entirely rejecting claims that the statute was preempted by federal law or violated constitutional protections. The ruling affirms Missouri’s authority to enforce duly enacted laws governing intoxicating cannabinoid products.
As state and federal authorities move toward stricter oversight, the AGs office says retailers remain obligated to accurately label and market their products and comply with existing consumer protection and controlled-substance laws.
In the four lawsuits, the AG’s office is seeking civil penalties, injunctive relief and other remedies authorized by Missouri law. In the lawsuits against Puffers Choice LLC, CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary, and Herb Depot, the office is also seeking to have the businesses designated as statutory drug-den public nuisances.
Missourians who believe they were misled or harmed by hemp, marijuana, THC or cannabis products, especially by an entity masquerading as a dispensary, are asked to file a complaint at ago.mo.gov.
