Missouri Attorney General says private lab testing, injunctions and additional legal action are helping target businesses operating outside the state's regulated cannabis market.

By Sean Shaughnessey

Published June 10, 2026

CAMERON, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says additional enforcement actions are coming against retailers selling hemp-derived THC products outside Missouri's licensed cannabis system, and her office is now utilizing private laboratory testing to strengthen cases against businesses suspected of violating state law.

In an exclusive interview conducted this week, Hanaway discussed her office's ongoing efforts to investigate smoke shops, vape stores and other retailers selling intoxicating hemp-derived products, including THC-A products that have become increasingly common across Missouri.

According to Hanaway, one of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement has been confusion surrounding Missouri's cannabis laws.

While marijuana sales are legal through licensed dispensaries, she said many consumers do not understand that separate rules govern hemp-derived products sold outside the state's regulated cannabis market.

"What started as a small exemption for agricultural purposes to allow the legal sale of hemp has now been absolutely co-opted," Hanaway said. "All these stores around Missouri represent to consumers that they're selling cannabis products and that they're doing it legally."

Hanaway said Missouri law limits hemp-derived THC concentrations to 0.3 percent, but testing has shown some products sold by retailers significantly exceed that threshold.

"The hemp exemption means the THC in the products has to be less than 0.3 percent," Hanaway said. "What we're finding in a lot of these stores is that it's way over 0.3 percent."

To address enforcement challenges, Hanaway said her office has begun utilizing private laboratories after discovering limitations in the state's testing capabilities.

"The state lab has not been able to test for the concentration of THC in products," she said. "They can detect whether it's there, but can't tell you how strong it is. So we've started to use private labs to get to the bottom of this."

Hanaway said the attorney general's office is prioritizing businesses that openly market cannabis products without proper licensing and retailers whose products appear to target children.

"We're trying to get to the worst first," she said. "We're continuing to file those kinds of lawsuits, and we will get to those who've been resistant. They should count on that."

The attorney general cited recent legal actions taken against retailers elsewhere in Missouri and indicated similar enforcement efforts will continue.

When asked what communities should expect moving forward, Hanaway said enforcement could take several forms depending on the circumstances of each case.

"If it's just the hemp-only products, then it probably looks more like fighting it out in court until we get a court order to enjoin them," she said.

In more serious situations, Hanaway said investigations may involve partnerships with local law enforcement, prosecutors and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Hanaway also expressed concern about broader criminal activity often associated with cash-intensive businesses operating near the edge of legality.

"These kinds of stores, a lot of cash goes through," she said. "If you can shut them down, we're going to have less total criminal activity statewide."

During the interview, Hanaway was informed that a Bitcoin ATM is currently located inside the Cameron Smoke Maven store.

"No, I didn't know that," Hanaway said.

After learning of the machine's presence, she added, "One more reason to prioritize that particular store."

Hanaway emphasized that not every retailer carrying hemp-derived products is intentionally violating Missouri law.

"There are a lot of really good small business owners out there who have been sold a bill of goods by the people who are marketing these hemp products," she said.

The attorney general said her office's focus remains consumer protection and public safety.

"What I want consumers and business owners to hear directly from me today is we're going after anybody who would rip them off," Hanaway said.

The interview also touched on human trafficking concerns in Missouri, which Hanaway described as one of the nation's leading trafficking corridors because of its interstate highway network.

Hanaway encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity and said community awareness remains one of the most effective tools in combating trafficking and consumer fraud.

As investigations continue, Hanaway said Missouri residents should remain cautious when purchasing hemp-derived THC products from retailers operating outside the state's regulated cannabis system and encouraged consumers to understand exactly what they are buying.

For communities such as Cameron, where questions surrounding smoke shops and THC products have become a topic of public discussion, Hanaway's message was straightforward:

More enforcement actions are coming.

—

Sean Shaughnessey

Across the County Line

Independent Journalism for Northwest Missouri

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