In what can only be described as a monumental victory for Missouri's hemp industry, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has officially backed down from their previous stance of embargoing and destroying hemp products. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Missouri Hemp Trade Association (MHTA) and our legal team, DHSS has now agreed, on the record, to stop their enforcement actions. This win represents the beginning of a larger movement to safeguard the future of the hemp industry in Missouri.
DHSS Caves Under Pressure, MHTA Stands Strong
The shift in power is clear. What started with Governor Parson's Executive Order 24-10 and DHSS’s heavy-handed raids has now turned into a retreat by the state agency. After weeks of MHTA leadership and our legal team fighting to stop DHSS from treating hemp products as illegal, we’ve finally secured written assurances that DHSS will no longer embargo or destroy any hemp products. This victory is even sweeter because it’s now on the official record. DHSS knows that if they try to continue their enforcement tactics, it would be akin to flipping the middle finger to the judge—and that’s a risk they probably don’t want to take.
Why This Matters
This win goes far beyond just stopping DHSS from destroying products. It signifies a shift in the power dynamic. The legal assurances we have obtained mean that MHTA now holds the upper hand. Every time the state announces a concession, it’s a testament to the strength of MHTA leadership and the collective force of our industry. We fought hard to make sure this wasn’t just a verbal agreement but something written down, legally binding, and backed by the courts. This means that if DHSS tries to pull the same stunt again, we have the right to go straight back to court and hold them accountable.
What’s Next?
Currently embargoed products will be released within 30 days, as DHSS has committed to removing all embargo tags unless a court order says otherwise. However, MHTA isn’t satisfied with waiting that long. We’re shifting our focus to getting those embargoed products back on the market sooner. Our legal team is working closely with DHSS and state officials to explore ways to expedite the process, ensuring that your products can be sold as soon as possible. MHTA is committed to fighting for a quicker resolution, and we’re exploring all legal avenues to make it happen.
In the meantime, it’s crucial for members with embargoed products to leave the tags in place and refrain from moving them until further notice. Rest assured, we’re doing everything in our power to speed this process up, and we’ll keep you updated as we make progress.
The Path Forward
Now that we’ve secured this critical win, our next priority is to ensure that embargoed products are back on the market as soon as possible. MHTA is actively working with our legal team and state officials to accelerate the process, and we are confident that we can achieve a faster resolution. However, this victory also serves as a reminder that the fight is far from over. DHSS’s concessions are a sign of our growing strength, but we need to remain united and vigilant.
This victory belongs to all of us, and it shows what we can achieve when we stand together. Now more than ever, we need your continued support through donations and memberships to ensure we have the resources to keep pushing back against unlawful government overreach.
MHTA’s leadership and legal team are committed to saving Missouri’s hemp industry, and we’re just getting started. This is where you can help.
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