Holts Summit raises legal age to buy intoxicating hemp
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
People now have to be 21 years old to buy intoxicating hemp products within the city of Holts Summit.
The Board of Aldermen passed the ordinance 3-1 to increase the age limit at its Jan. 13 meeting, according to City Clerk Rachel Anderson. The age limit went into effect immediately after passage.
City Attorney Dave Bandre said this is to end a previous city law that would allow businesses to sell hemp products to people who are at least 18 years old.
Manager Brad Sibeneck at Up In Smoke smoke shop, located at 168 W. Simon Blvd., told an ABC 17 News reporter that they don’t sell to people under 21. There are at least four signs at the entrance that tell customers so.
According to the bill language, hemp-derived products are unregulated by federal and state agencies, which means these products go unchecked for product testing, don’t have an age limit and can be sold in a variety of places, like gas stations and vape shops.
New federal rules regulating the products go into effect in November, and state lawmakers are working on rules for Missouri in the current legislative session.
These products are sometimes designed after popular snacks and candies, which often target a younger audience, according to the bill language. The bill cites this as being double the legal limit for adult-use marijuana.
Sibeneck said he doesn’t sell look-alike candy.
“The City finds it necessary to enact regulations related to the sale of intoxicating cannabinoids found in hemp-derived products to protect the general public health, safety, and welfare, and specifically to protect those under the age of twenty-one from the adverse effects associated with the consumption of intoxicating cannabinoids,” the bill reads.
The bill also includes nonintoxicating CBD products.
Ward 2 Alderman Thomas Wulff voted against the measure.
“I’m one of those that believe that at 18 years old, you become a man because you can fight for your country, and you should have every right there is, whether it’s drinking or voting or being able to purchase hemp,” Wulff said. “But that’s not what my constituents want.”
Wulff said he was last to vote, and if he thought his vote would matter, he would have voted in favor.
Intoxicating hemp products use a type of THC derived from hemp plants, which are closely related to marijuana plants. The compound is similar to the THC in marijuana, but many users say it delivers a milder high.