Author: KMIZ

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A deal to end the federal government shutdown included a provision that limits how much THC can be legally contained in hemp-derived products.

Under the new rule, hemp products could contain no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Experts note that hemp generally has much lower levels of THC than marijuana under federal law and effectively bans most hemp-derived consumer products.

The 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp with up to a 0.3% of THC per serving by dry weight.

Last year, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services estimated 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops, and 1,800 food manufacturers, were selling products in Missouri that would be banned under the proposed regulations.

A report called “Missouri Hemp Hoax” analyzed 55 products purchases from unlicensed retailers across the state. Testing found that 53 of the 55 products exceeded the 0.3% THC threshold. It found most products contained total THC between 10%-80%. It also found 16 of the 55 products failed for dangerous contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents.

Ethan Jones, owner of MindRight Wellness in downtown Columbia, has sold hemp products for five years. He said his business would be significantly affected if the House passes the measure.

“I have dispensaries referring business to me because these are people that are going to look for relief, and they’re not selling it,” Jones said. “Enough to make a financial impact to my business, that’s for sure. But on top of that, even further, eliminate the chance for me to help people in a way that I’ve been helping people for many years now in a very safe and effective way,”

Jones’s most popular product is a full-spectrum CBD gummy that contains 0.3% THC per serving. He said he sells between 40-60 containers a month, accounting for about 6.6% of his monthly sales. He said the gummies help people sleep, anxiety, pain relief etc.

According to Jones, most of his customers are working adults and older adults.

He added the new restrictions would force customers to look elsewhere for a product they use for health-related reasons.

“It’s confusing to hear all of this change, as it would be someone who’s been buying the same product for five years and now having no option to buy that, or unless they’re going to get funneled into a dispensary and pay probably three or four times the actual price for the same exact product,” he said.

With hemp-derived products possibly containing .04% per container, Jones says it would nearly make all products illegal.

“As it stands right now within that language there would be really no hemp industry left. So I don’t, it sounds purposeful to me, that they did it that way. Right now, within the regulations, that .03% per serving has been extremely safe,” Jones said.

“If you really look into people benefiting from these types of products, so in reality it could even get to the point that people end up going down an even worse route for literally just not having a simple legal option available anymore,” he added.

The lower dose of THC in products, Jones says will take the whole purpose away of a hemp-derived product and it won’t have the affect it with the current level of THC allowed.

“They just don’t seem to have medicinal value to people again this is someone who helps people everyday and has for years and seeing the direct impact its having on people’s lives it doesn’t work as well,” Jones said.

Rep. Dave Hinman (R-O’Fallon) plans to refile a bill he proposed that would allow Missouri businesses to sell low-dose Hemp THC beverages and edibles. He says it would protect local businesses and farmers.

“I would prefer to move forward with the bill I was going to present that allowed the two carve outs to happen.” Hinman said. “That would be my preference if I was able to do something. I think this is really kind of extreme by now allowing anything but if that’s the direction the federal government’s going in we don’t have much of a choice,”

However, he believes regulations are needed, as products tend to have similar packaging that tend attract children.

“There’s a lot of bad actors out there, unfortunately, that are selling products that are really marketed toward kids,’ Hinman said. “I had a meeting in my office last week where a group of folks brought in, bags that looked exactly like Skittles, bags that looked exactly like Doritos and that’s the kind of stuff that’s really putting a bad name on hemp products out here, is people that are selling that kind of stuff in their stores that children then get ahold of,”

The law will go into effect Nov. 12 of next year.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after a garage caught fire Sunday afternoon at a home on Pleasant Valley Road in Roach, Missouri, according to a social media post from the Northwest Fire Protection District.

The post says firefighters were called around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, arrived within nine minutes and saw flames. Callers told dispatchers that a propane tank reportedly exploded.

“With the assistance of our mutual-aid partners, the fire was brought under control. Units remained on scene for several hours to ensure full extinguishment,” the post says. “At the time of this incident, Northwest firefighters were also managing three other emergency calls, including two natural cover fires and a medical emergency. In total, Northwest Fire has responded to six incidents today.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man pleaded guilty on Friday to a federal gun charge, according a press release from the Department of Justice.

Lajuan Martin, 31, pleaded guilty to being a felony with a gun. He is being held at the Cole County Jail and a sentencing hearing has not been announced.

The release says Martin was arrested by Columbia police for driving without a license and a gun and drugs were found on him when he was brought to the Columbia Police Department.

Martin has prior felony convictions and is not allowed to own a gun.  

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A fall severe thunderstorm dropped hail on Columbia on Monday afternoon.

A former National Weather Service employee reported 1-inch hail in the Columbia city limits, according to the NWS storm reports page.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State Rep. John Martin (R-Centralia) announced that he plans on running for reelection.

Martin announced his bid in a Monday afternoon press release. He represents Missouri’s 44th District in the state house and was first elected last year.

“My Christian faith and blue collar background drive me to lead with integrity,” Martin in the release. “I will always be a defender of our rights and freedoms, and a champion for prosperity in every zip code.”

The release says his campaign plans on focusing on infrastructure and tax reform. He is a member of the Boone County Farm Bureau. He is a former pastor who owns Pro Pumping & Hydrojetting LLC in Columbia, according to previous reporting.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia City Council members did not vote on a median ordinance as scheduled on Monday night.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample and Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman told ABC 17 News on Monday afternoon that many council members were seeking more information from commissions.

Council members on Monday night voted 6-1 to table the issue until Feb. 2, with Waterman being the sole “no” vote.

The ordinance would regulate the use of medians, road crossings and islands by both motorists and pedestrians at intersections with speeds of 35 miles per hour or greater, average daily traffic volumes of 15,000 vehicles or greater, or where the median width is fewer than 6 feet wide.

If adopted, the ordinance will:

Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.

Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.

Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.

Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.

Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.

The council voted to table the ordinance, noting that they need more clarification on the ordinance.

Roughly 30 residents packed Columbia City Hall for Monday’s meeting speaking out about the issue. Most who spoke were in opposition of the ordinance, saying it takes away free speech and doesn’t address saefty, while few said they supported it.

However, those against it, like Luke Fennewald say the ordinance doesn’t target safety but rather criminalizes homelessness and panhandling.

“Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and I don’t think people realize how close we are to being homeless,” Fennewald said. “It just takes one unfortunate tragedy and you might find yourself in those folks’ positions.”

Luke Jensen is also an activist in the city, who says he has a deep caring for the homeless population, but also believes if passed, the ordinance would also restrict people from voicing their opinions.

“A lot of protesters use those same medians to demonstrate their political beliefs, and we believe that if this is passed, then it will also be a crackdown on our First Amendment,” Jensen said.

Sample had previously requested to hear more from the Human Rights Commission, Disabilities Commission, Public Transit Advisory Commission and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission. Sample also said medians typically attract homeless people, and some residents worry where those people will move to next..

Sample told ABC 17 News on Monday that if the council were to vote on the issue Monday night, she would not support the ordinance.

“I don’t think we can effectively address pedestrian safety with a single ordinance, so this isn’t the right way to do it,” Sample said before the meeting. “We need to address pedestrian safety but I don’t feel that this particular ordinance in front of us is the way for us to do that.”

Waterman said on Monday afternoon while he understands some council members desire to receive more information from various commissions, he believes they will not hear anything much different from what they’ve already heard. He said he anticipates the vote among council members will be to table the issue, but he is ready to vote “yes.”

“I think it’s a safety issue. I know there’s a lot of sentiment that it’s not a safety issue but it is in fact a safety issue. (Columbia Fire Department) Chief Schaeffer has mentioned that it is a concern while they’re responding,” Waterman said. “God forbid it gets voted down and then two, three, four months later we have someone standing in a median that gets run over…then we’ll be circling back to it.”

Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood and Ward 4 Councilman Don Waterman also told ABC 17 News that they supported tabling the issue.

The city said it plans to open a survey for residents to submit input to.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced in a Monday press release that Columbia Regional Airport will announce new flights on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after Columbia Regional Airport had 14,202 passengers depart from its airport in October, which is a record for the location. Another press release on Monday says there were 28,810 arrivals and departures combined.

The airport has flights that operate daily to Chicago O’Hare, Denver and Dallas Fort Worth.

“These numbers reflect the confidence travelers have in choosing their local airport,” airport manager Michael Parks said in a news release. “United’s new service, combined with American Airlines existing routes, gives passengers access to hundreds of destinations around the world, while saving time and supporting our local economy.”

The airport is expecting more than 5,500 travelers during the week of Thanksgiving, the release says.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A lane of eastbound Interstate 70 in east Columbia was closed Monday afternoon for emergency repairs.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said the driving lane of I-70 East would be closed until about 6 a.m. Tuesday. The release did not say why emergency repairs were needed. A MoDOT representative did not immediately respond to questions sent via email.

MoDOT says drivers should give themselves extra time if they’re driving through the work zone.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Audrain County woman was charged with several felonies after her she was accused of abusing her child.

Tiffany Cox, of Vandalia, was charged on Monday with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse, possessing a forging instrument, forgery, drug possession and misdemeanor possessing drug paraphernalia. A warrant was issued and no bond was set. A confined docket hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says Cox was arrested on Oct. 2 for an active warrant and the Audrain County Sheriff’s Office began investigating her for child abuse when they noticed a number of bruises on Cox’s child. The youth was put in the custody of another family member and was then evaluated at University Hospital, the statement says.

The child allegedly had “extensive bruising to the extremities, abdomen, back, cheeks, and chin of Confidential Child Victim and noted the facial bruising was consistent with squeezing or pinching,” the statement says. The youth also tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to the statement.

Law enforcement searched Cox’s residence on Nov. 14 and found meth, several uncapped syringes, “glass smoking devices,” a printer and apparent counterfeit money.  

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was arrested and charged in Boone County after he allegedly stabbed a woman on Sunday morning after an argument.

Isaiah Bowser, 23, was charged on Monday with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. Court information says his residence is in Columbia, while jail records list him being from Jefferson City. An initial court appearance was held on Monday.

The probable cause statement says the victim called two people after they were assaulted by Bowser after an argument. The victim claimed they were stabbed with a pair of scissors, court documents say. Bowers allegedly left the area before police arrived.

The victim spoke with police at a hospital and allegedly told them that she was stabbed after an argument occurred around 2 a.m. Police later found Bowser in a shed at a residence in the 800 block of North Seventh Street, the statement says.

Police found Bowser with a bloody knife, the statement says.

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