Missouri Attorney General Sues Four Retailers Over Alleged Illegal Marijuana Sales
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office has sued four retailers it accuses of selling marijuana products disguised as legal hemp, as the state prepares to enforce new restrictions on intoxicating cannabinoid products.
The lawsuits target Puffers Choice LLC in Aurora, CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary in Des Peres, Herb Depot in Independence and Token THC Dispensary in Rock Port. The allegations have not been proven in court.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the businesses marketed products as federally legal hemp even though the products allegedly exceeded legal THC limits and qualified as marijuana under Missouri law. The office also alleges that some retailers presented themselves as dispensaries or suggested they operated under the same rules as state-licensed marijuana businesses.
Hanaway said the state would use consumer-protection and other legal tools to pursue businesses that misrepresent their products or operations. Her office is seeking civil penalties, court orders barring alleged unlawful conduct and other remedies. In cases involving Puffers Choice, CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary and Herb Depot, the state is also asking the court to designate the businesses as statutory drug-den public nuisances.
The actions come as provisions of House Bill 2641 are scheduled to take effect Nov. 12, 2026. The law addresses intoxicating cannabinoid products and is expected to strengthen state oversight of their sale.
On Nov. 4, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri dismissed a legal challenge to the law, according to the attorney general’s announcement. The office said the court rejected claims that the law was preempted by federal law or violated constitutional protections. The ruling allows the state to proceed with enforcement, though the lawsuits against the retailers are separate cases.
The attorney general’s office said retailers remain responsible for accurately labeling and marketing their products and complying with Missouri consumer-protection and controlled-substance laws.
Missourians who believe they were misled or harmed by hemp, marijuana, THC or cannabis products can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at ago.mo.gov.
