Walking into Total Wine stores in Missouri this summer, it was impossible not to see the display for hemp-derived THC infused beverages. Total Wine, the country's largest liquor retailer, set the tone for the alcohol industry in June when it began carrying the products at its seven Missouri stores.
"It has been amazing for us," said Joshua Grigaitis, owner of St. Louis-based Mighty Kind Co., which makes various kinds of hemp seltzers. "When somebody like Total Wine comes on board, it helps the conversation along greatly." Hemp naturally has very little THC, the intoxicating component mostly associated with marijuana. But that potency can be increased with some science.
Now Mighty Kind and other similar products that contain low levels of THC have quickly become new revenue for bars, liquor stores and distributors statewide. These beverages are allowed to be sold in Missouri outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries because the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp. Grigaitis said in some bars, his products make up 40-50% of their sales.
But that all may come to a halt after Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order on Aug. 1 banning intoxicating hemp products and threatening penalties to any establishment with a Missouri liquor license or that sells food products for selling them. It also bans companies like Mighty Kind from producing hemp-derived THC beverages in Missouri.
Read more at missouriindependent.com