Hemp Businesses Sue Missouri to Block Intoxicating Product Ban

A coalition of hemp businesses, including the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, MNG 2005, Inc., and Lifted Liquids Inc., filed a federal lawsuit on July 17, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District. The suit seeks to block House Bill 2641, a law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe that bans intoxicating hemp products starting November 12 to align state law with a pending federal ban.

The plaintiffs argue the legislation uses unconstitutionally vague and convoluted definitions of hemp and marijuana. They claim this legal confusion could criminalize legal business activities and inadvertently remove non-intoxicating CBD products from the market. Named defendants in the case include Governor Kehoe, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, and Sarah Wilson, the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Representative Dave Hinman, the sponsor of HB2641, dismissed the lawsuit as a Hail Mary and a last-ditch effort by the industry. Hinman asserted the bill was thoroughly vetted throughout the legislative process to ensure it mirrored federal standards.