Missouri cannabis regulators want more power to penalize bad actors in the marijuana industry, according to drafts of proposed rules released last week. The sweeping revisions to Division of Cannabis Regulation rules also aim to streamline the process for ownership changes, allow publicly traded companies to own cannabis licenses, and establish recall procedures of marijuana products containing unregulated THC.
The proposed guidelines would particularly clarify what happens when there are rule-breakers "exercising a controlling influence" over a facility, said Amy Moore, director of the division that oversees the marijuana program.
"What we are saying in the rule is if a year from now [if the rules are approved] we look at your ownership," Moore said, "and we see you have someone exercising a controlling influence that you know has done these things, then that is a violation."
Moore was speaking of the rules' detailed list of offenses that include selling or distributing unregulated THC, committing theft or other criminal offenses on the job, fraudulently using an agent identification card, tampering with or falsifying video recordings, and refusing to cooperate with a department investigation. Having a rule-breaker in a position of power would lead to a fine of up to $100,000 or suspension or revocation of a license, according to the rules.
Read more at Missouri Independent
