House passes bill to align state law with federal ban on intoxicating hemp-derived products after heated floor debate

The House on Feb. 18 passed the committee substitute for House Bill 26‑41, a measure the sponsor described as aligning Missouri law with recent federal action that will render intoxicating hemp‑derived cannabinoid products unlawful as of Nov. 12, 2026. The bill passed on third reading by roll call.

The sponsor, the gentleman from Saint Charles County, told colleagues the legislation mirrors federal thresholds distinguishing nonintoxicating hemp from intoxicating marijuana and said the federal change requires state alignment to avoid gaps in enforcement. "Either they are federally legal hemp, below point 3% total THC and 0.4 milligrams per max container, or they are a state authorized marijuana," the sponsor said.

Opponents objected to a last‑minute floor amendment that removes beverages from the bill’s prohibition. The lady from Saint Louis City and other critics said the amendment effectively carves out an entire industry and could preserve market advantages for established marijuana licensees while shutting out smaller, federally compliant hemp businesses. "It creates a carve out for a single sector, the beverage industry," one member said during floor debate.

Several members and at least one representative of an affected family urged the House to consider medical‑use and access. A member who identified herself as raising a family that has relied on hemp‑derived therapies described clinical improvements for her child and implored colleagues to weigh the personal impacts of broad prohibitions: "For Bodie and families like this, this vote is not theoretical," she said, describing reduced infections and improved health after use of hemp therapies.

Sponsor and supporters said the bill focuses on products that have caused reported problems — synthetic cannabinoids and chemically converted products — and that the federal action, absent state action, would make all intoxicating hemp products illegal on Nov. 12, 2026. The sponsor said the measure gives state and local law‑enforcement clarity to address bad actors.

The House recorded the final tally on third reading and passed the committee substitute; the clerk announced the vote count as 109 yeas, 34 nays and 6 present.

Supporters said the bill provides clarity for prosecutors and regulators; opponents warned it risks harming small mom‑and‑pop businesses, could reduce therapeutic access for families, and questioned the timing and fairness of the amendment. The sponsor said federal law will determine much of the product status by the November 2026 threshold.

The measure moves to the next steps in the legislative process.