As Missouri transitions into the era of legalized cannabis, a critical issue emerges: not all cannabis on the market is created equal. While our state has established a comprehensive framework for cultivation, distribution, and sales, a growing number of unregulated THC shops pose a threat to both public health and the integrity of Missouri’s legal cannabis system.
A primary concern is the deceptive advertising practices employed by unregulated businesses. Research indicates that teenagers exposed to cannabis advertising, particularly online and through storefronts, are significantly more likely to use marijuana. In fact, national surveys reveal that exposure through multiple advertising channels can double the odds of adolescent use.
In contrast, Missouri’s regulated dispensaries adhere to strict standards, prohibiting marketing to minors, the use of cartoon imagery, and the making of unverified health claims. Conversely, unregulated operators lack such restrictions, allowing them to engage in flashy promotions, viral social media ads, and unchecked messaging that directly targets children. Sales to minors are unregulated in shops that often advertise as “dispensaries”, a sad attempt to appear safe and legitimate.
As a result, cannabis is being normalized at an earlier age. Missouri surveys already reveal that the average age of first use is just 14 years old, with nearly 7% of teens having used marijuana in the past 30 days. We cannot afford to allow predatory marketing to exacerbate these alarming trends.
Furthermore, cannabis products sold outside Missouri’s regulated system pose significant risks. State-licensed cannabis undergoes rigorous testing for potency, pesticides, mold, and contaminants. Unregulated THC vapes, edibles, and flower, on the other hand, often originate from out-of-state or underground sources, where dangerous additives have been linked to severe injuries.
Hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, such as Delta-8 THC, THC-O, THC-P, and others, are increasingly available in colorful, candy-like packaging that targets youth. These products are largely untested, mislabeled, and unregulated, leaving consumers with little assurance about their potency, purity, or safety. The levels of THC in these products are unacceptable, and the sale of these products demands immediate corrective action from our community and state leaders.
Parents may not realize that a THC gummy purchased from a flashy shop without state oversight is not the same as one bought from a licensed dispensary. The difference can be the safety of a child’s health.
Since 2018, there has been a staggering 600% increase in emergency visits and hospitalizations among children aged 5 and younger in Missouri due to cannabis poisoning. In February 2024, ten St. Louis high school students became violently ill after consuming Delta-8 gummies from a local gas station, with four hospitalized. Shortly after, at least six elementary students experienced severe disorientation. Nationally, poison centers reported an alarming 82% increase in Delta-8 THC exposure cases in 2022 compared to 2021, many of which involved children.
Missouri voters approved cannabis legalization with the understanding that it would be Missouri-grown, Missouri-regulated, and Missouri-taxed. This ensures not only consumer safety but also that cannabis revenue supports our communities, from veterans’ healthcare to local infrastructure.
Every dollar spent at an unregulated shop undermines this promise. It diverts tax revenue, threatens jobs in Missouri’s cannabis industry, and funds operations and marketing that may target our youth. Using untested products is dangerous, and the sales of these products should be unacceptable to every Missourian.
The solution is simple and urgent: Missouri must enforce stronger oversight against unregulated THC shops and commit to a “Missouri Grown, Missouri Regulated” standard. This means cracking down on unlicensed cannabis sellers and holding advertisers accountable for targeting underage audiences.
Parents and communities should continue to receive education about the dangers of unregulated products. Missouri’s licensed dispensaries are highly regulated. The safety, potency, and dosing is available and accurate. Many of the “hemp” products that are consumed are mislabeled and many times NEVER tested. The Hemp Hoax in Missouri is that hemp is safe, but hemp in these cases is really a mislabeling of THC, which Missourians voted to regulate.
Legal cannabis in Missouri was never intended to become a free-for-all. By supporting only Missouri-grown and Missouri-regulated cannabis, we safeguard our children, strengthen our communities, and ensure that this industry grows responsibly—right here in our own state.
Any deviation from this path risks reversing the progress that Missouri voters demanded.
Written By: Dr. Trish Hurford, Hurford Interventional Pain Orthopedics & Rehabilitation