Parson says Ashcroft is blocking effort to ban unregulated THC because of hurt feelings
![Gov. Mike Parson compares regular candy to unregulated cannabis edibles when announcing his executive order banning sales of unregulated cannabis products on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in the Governor's Office.](https://abc17news.b-cdn.net/abc17news.com/2024/08/image2-scaled.jpeg)
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is blocking an executive order to ban various unregulated forms of the cannabis compound THC over “hurt feelings.” Parson endorsed Ashcroft’s opponent in the state’s recent gubernatorial primary, which Ashcroft went on to lose. Parson said Thursday that Ashcroft denied an emergency order banning the sale of unregulated THC substances found in cannabis. The order would not impact recreational or medical marijuana products, which are legal in Missouri. Ashcroft’s office says the proposed executive order didn’t meet legal requirements. Ashcroft himself has long been known to have higher political ambitions. His famous father John Ashcroft served as U.S. attorney general undeer President George W. Bush.