Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) last week signed into law the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act. In a statement, the governor said “the legislation ensures that Missourians know that products sold in their communities are safe, regulated and kept out of the reach of children.”

“For too long, bad actors have exploited loopholes to market intoxicating products — including candy-like candy or similar products — without meaningful oversight or accountability.” – Kehoe, in one press release

The bill aligns the state definition of hemp with the new federal definition, bringing the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products under existing cannabis regulations.

President Donald Trump (R) on Nov signed an expense bill which included new federal regulations on hemp products that effectively criminalize hemp-derived THC and redefine hemp as “grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, husk, or any other non-cannabinoid compound, derivative, mixture, preparation or manufacture of the seed” and “grown for the purpose of human consumption or other products made from its flesh.” an immature hemp plant grown from seeds that do not exceed” 0.3% THC. The new regime will take effect this November.

Missouri law requires unlicensed entities to cease manufacturing or selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

The bill also prohibits cannabis distributors or other authorized parties from keeping records or sharing identifying information of regulated consumers of cannabis products, unless the consumer consents to the creation or retention of records in writing.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has voted to implement a four-month moratorium on new cannabis cultivation licenses. Axios reports.

of licensing freezewhich begins June 16, aims to address a trend of falling cannabis prices in the state. The average price of cannabis flowers recently dropped to about $14 for an eighth of an ounce.

The changes will not affect cannabis retailers or microbusiness applications that participate in the state’s social equity program. The licensing freeze will also not apply to existing operators who may wish to increase or decrease their cultivation cover.

The commission voted 3-1 to approve the changes, with Commissioner Bruce Stebbins casting the lone no vote.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts lawmakers recently passed a bill that contains big changes in the cannabis industry’s regulatory structure that includes doubling the purchase limit for adult use and shrinking the CCC to just three members.