Missouri Senate sets aside Senate Bill 54 on cannabis amid product-safety concerns

On Wednesday the Missouri Senate set aside Senate Bill 54, a measure to create provisions relating to cannabis, leaving it for future consideration, Dean Morgan reported.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Nick Schor of Defiance, framed the measure as addressing product safety and youth access, saying, "If we're going to allow Missourians to use these products, it must be kept out of the hands of children, done in a safe manner where no heavy metals, pesticides, or other carcinogens are contained in these products." The transcript shows Schor presented the measure as covering marijuana, intoxicating cannabinoids and consumable beverages derived from hemp.

Senator Carla May of St. Louis said businesses operating under the bill would be joined by "some nefarious operators, of course. You have that in everything," noting a mix of regulated businesses and actors of concern. The remarks were made during floor discussion and were part of reasons cited for pausing consideration.

According to the transcript, the bill was "set aside for future consideration," and the Senate recorded that there are five weeks remaining in the 2025 regular legislative session. The record does not show a floor vote or a specific rescheduling date for further consideration.

Senate Bill 54 is described in the transcript as addressing marijuana, intoxicating cannabinoids and consumable hemp beverages; further bill text, committee actions, or formal votes were not provided in the excerpts available.

With the legislative calendar advancing, senators left the bill pending further action; the transcript does not indicate when debate will resume or whether amendments were proposed before the bill was set aside.