Current:Home > StocksParson says Ashcroft is blocking effort to ban unregulated THC because of hurt feelings -Thrive Financial Network
Parson says Ashcroft is blocking effort to ban unregulated THC because of hurt feelings
View
Date:2025-04-13 12:16:44
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday accused Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft of thwarting an executive order to ban various forms of the cannabis compound THC over “hurt feelings” because Parson endorsed Ashcroft’s GOP rival in the recent gubernatorial primary Ashcroft lost.
Ashcroft did not sign-off on Parson’s August emergency executive order banning the sale of unregulated THC substances.
Secretary of state spokesperson JoDonn Chaney said in an email that Ashcroft “had concerns the rule did not meet the legal requirements as defined in statute.”
“He reached out to the executive branch to give them opportunity to explain how it met the requirements and they did not respond,” Chaney said.
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in Missouri, but Parson’s executive order was aimed at particular THC compounds that aren’t regulated, including Delta-8.
Parson pursued the ban on unregulated THC because he said the products have sickened children who mistake the packaging for candy.
“This is a personal matter for thousands of parents and grandparents across the state, and denying the rule-making is your attempt at retribution for my endorsement of another candidate,” Parson said in a letter to Ashcroft. “Safety of kids is not a political issue. I am disgusted that you are making it one.”
Parson pointed to bad blood between him and Ashcroft as the reason Ashcroft is standing in the way of the proposed executive order. Parson endorsed Ashcroft’s rival in a heated gubernatorial primary that Ashcroft lost this month.
“As best I can tell, you denied this emergency rule-making because you believe hurt feelings are more important than protecting children,” Parson wrote in a public letter.
Parson is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, which opened the door for a swath of aspiring GOP candidates looking to take his seat as the state’s top executive. Because Republicans are heavily favored to win statewide offices in Missouri, GOP primaries can be more influential than general elections.
Ashcroft faced off against other Republicans including Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who was Parson’s pick.
Ashcroft was favored to win, primarily because he comes from a Missouri political dynasty. His father, John Ashcroft, previously served as Missouri governor, a U.S. senator and the U.S. attorney general under former President George W. Bush. Ashcroft has long been known to have ambitions to follow in his father’s political footsteps.
But voters ultimately chose Kehoe to be the GOP gubernatorial nominee. That also means Ashcroft will be out a job in January, when his term as secretary of state expires.
Parson directed the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to resubmit the emergency rule on unregulated THC products and asked Ashcroft to reconsider. Without Ashcroft’s approval, Parson must go through a process that can take months.
The emergency rule was originally set to take effect Sept. 1.
veryGood! (52)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- 'Mind-boggling': Woman shoots baby in leg over $100 drug debt, police say
- 2024 Olympics: Breaking Is the Newest Sport—Meet the Athletes Going for Gold in Paris
- How to Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony and All Your Favorite Sports
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- What to know about Kamala Harris' viral coconut tree meme: You exist in the context of all in which you live
- Trump holds first rally with running mate JD Vance
- Secret Service director says Trump assassination attempt was biggest agency ‘failure’ in decades
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Mamie Laverock speaks out for first time after suffering 5-story fall: 'My heart is full'
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Democrats promise ‘orderly process’ to replace Biden, where Harris is favored but questions remain
- 3 'missing' people found safe, were never in car when it was submerged off Texas pier, police say
- Mega Millions winning numbers for July 19 drawing: Jackpot now worth $279 million
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Biden drops out of the 2024 presidential race, endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for nomination
- Southern California wildfire destroys and damages homes during scorching heat wave
- What to know about Kamala Harris' viral coconut tree meme: You exist in the context of all in which you live
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Trump holds first rally with running mate JD Vance
Hunter Biden drops lawsuit against Fox News over explicit images featured in streaming series
Why Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Romance’s Is Like a Love Song
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Who could replace Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee?
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday at Bridgerton-Themed Party
Why Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Romance’s Is Like a Love Song