Missouri marijuana regulators have announced significant changes to how licensed cultivators can acquire seeds, plants and other genetic material, including new restrictions on seeds obtained from outside the regulated market and expanded access to certain low-THC genetics.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued new guidance on October 21, outlining how the state’s upcoming Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act will affect cultivation businesses when it takes effect November 12.
Under the changes, licensed marijuana cultivators will be allowed to acquire cannabis plants and genetic material, including tissue cultures and pollen, from businesses outside Missouri’s regulated marijuana cultivation system, provided the material contains no more than 0.3% total THC.
The department issued a variance to existing regulations to accommodate the change. However, all marijuana ultimately sold in Missouri must still originate from plants cultivated within a state-licensed facility.
One of the most consequential changes involves marijuana seeds. Previously, seeds were generally considered hemp because their THC concentrations were presumed to fall below the legal threshold of 0.3% delta-9 THC. This allowed licensed cultivators to acquire seeds from outside the state’s regulated marijuana industry.
Under the new law, seeds originating from plants containing more than 0.3% total THC will be classified as marijuana, regardless of the THC concentration of the seeds themselves.
As a result, Missouri cultivators will no longer be allowed to acquire those seeds from unlicensed sources, including outside suppliers that previously operated under hemp rules. The department said this restriction will remain unless the law changes or conflicting guidance is issued by other authorities.
The guidance also establishes a new standard for determining whether cannabis plants qualify as hemp. Plants measuring less than two inches above the root will be presumed to contain no more than 0.3% total THC. Taller plants will be presumed to be marijuana unless testing demonstrates that their THC concentration falls below the threshold.
Acquiring marijuana plants from sources outside Missouri’s licensed cultivation system remains prohibited. The department warns that violations can constitute marijuana inversion, which may result in fines, license suspensions, product recalls and other enforcement actions.
The state is also working with Metrc, its marijuana tracking provider, to update the system so cultivators can introduce qualifying genetic material without submitting individual requests to regulators.
Under the guidance, all acquired plants and genetic material must be entered into the statewide tracking system on the same day they arrive at a licensed facility. The department said additional details about the Metrc changes will be released as they become available.
The new requirements stem from House Bill 2641, signed into law in April, which makes broader changes to Missouri’s regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products beginning November 12.
Related posts:
DEA Judge Rejects Request to Reopen Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing, Sets November 5 Deadline for Fin...
Massachusetts Releases Comprehensive Draft Marijuana Testing Regulations Covering Contaminants, Lab ...
