Missouri's Cannabis Quandary: License Revocation, Recalls And Regulatory Riddles

The saga surrounding the Missouri-based marijuana manufacturer, Delta Extraction, LLC, continues as state regulators agree to delay revoking the company's license.

Amidst a postponed recall hearing initially slated for September 29, licensed cannabis businesses around Missouri have found themselves in limbo, mandated to store more than 62,000 recalled cannabis products.

According to Missouri Independent, "If a licensee wishes to voluntarily destroy product on hold, they should contact the department to discuss," said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Background

Delta Extraction’s operations were suspended on August 2, accused of "sourcing untested marijuana or converted hemp from outside of a Missouri licensed cultivation facility."

The company, however, countered this claim, asserting that they imported a non-psychoactive hemp product that was converted into THC within Missouri borders. A full product recall was initiated on August 14, post the issuing of an administrative hold days earlier.

What's Next?

• With a pending revocation notice issued on September 1, Delta Extraction faced a deadline of October 2 to present a case against these accusations. Yet, in a turn of events, a joint motion on September 25 between the state and Delta Extraction led to an agreement to postpone attempts to revoke Delta’s license until October 20.
• A hearing would follow post-November 30 if no consensus is reached.

“We’re providing all the records that they’re asking for,” Delta Extraction’s attorney, Chuck Hatfield stated. “We’re making folks available to them for interviews, and we have been doing that since the first day that this was raised. Delta Extraction is an open book.”

Despite these developments, Cox indicated the possibility that the recall case could find resolution by October 20. State attorneys and those of Delta Extraction concurred that no rescheduling of the hearing would occur prior to November 30.

Furthermore, the state has abstained from directing any cannabis licensee to annihilate the recalled products. If chosen to be destroyed voluntarily, “it would be destroyed according to the requirements for destruction/waste in applicable regulations,” affirmed Cox.

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