Governor Parson Formally Rebukes Secretary of State's Inaction and Refusal to Protect Missouri Children

AUGUST 22, 2024

Jefferson City — Yesterday, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft refused to sign off on the emergency rulemaking process associated with Governor Mike Parson's Executive Order 24-10, prohibiting the sale of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products. After Secretary Ashcroft chose to sit idly by and not protect Missouri children from harmful cannabis infused products, Governor Parson penned a letter (in attachment) to express his deep dissatisfaction and provide a formal rebuke.

"Without question, our office and hundreds of thousands of parents and grandparents across the state view the matter of protecting Missouri children as an emergency in need of immediate action," Governor Parson said. "By refusing to grant emergency rules to ban the sale of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products, especially to children, Secretary Ashcroft is choosing personal vendetta and unregulated, dangerous products over the health and safety of Missouri kids."

In Missouri, there has been a 600 percent increase in the number of children 5 and under experiencing cannabis poisoning that resulted in Emergency Room visits or hospitalizations since 2018. These products could come from the southern border or adversarial countries like China, and there is no way of knowing what is in them. Additionally, America’s Poison Control Center has documented that 41 percent of the non-regulated intoxicating cannabinoids - Delta 8 exposures are occurring in children 12 and younger. Unregulated psychoactive cannabinoids are associated with several significant health risks including risks of poisoning (especially for children), unexpected intoxication, exposure to chemical contaminants, and more.

  • There are no safety studies for human consumption and health effects are largely unknown, especially for children.
  • Many products include combinations of non-regulated psychoactive cannabinoids, with unknown interactions.
  • There are no regulated potency limits or testing, and large doses are often contained in a single package.
  • There are no regulations imposing age restrictions.
  • Many products are mislabeled, with unknown or undisclosed psychoactive potency.
  • Some products packaging intentionally mimics commercial food products that appeal to children and has a lack of childproofing.
  • There are no testing requirements for contaminants such as heavy metals or solvents and other byproducts from processing.

Approximately 11 percent of 12th-grade students, or roughly 1 of every 10, across the United States reported past-year use of Delta-8, just one of the available unregulated psychoactive cannabis compounds, according to an analysis of data sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

These intoxicating compounds are currently untested in humans, unregulated, and sold to the public without restriction. Due to lack of regulatory oversight, these products are marketed aggressively and assertively in eye-catching ways to attract public consumption, particularly that of young consumers. Often times, products resemble that of brand name foods and candies, like LIFE SAVERS. Photo examples can be found here.

The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control's (ATC) emergency rules associated with Executive Order 24-10 were set to go in effect on September 1, 2024. Governor Parson is directing ATC to refile the emergency rules for reconsideration, but until such time that Secretary Ashcroft reverses course, ATC must use the regular rulemaking process, which may delay the effective date of the Order by six to eight months.

Governor Parson's letter to Secretary Ashcroft can be found in the attachment.

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