scheduled tribe. LOUIS (KTVI) — A product stand selling hemp in heavily raised eyebrows and jaws dropped at St. Louis’ historic Soulard Farmers Market. Now, the “Bud Man” stand will not be allowed back on the market until further notice.
On Saturday, the audience could not believe their eyes. There were large cans of unwrapped cannabis buds for sale. A sign advertised “10lbs. for $5,000.” More and more people began gathering around the stands, taking pictures and posting them on social media.
Operators of Missouri’s licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, such as Missouri Wild Alchemy in O’Fallon, worry the Soulard stand will add to the confusion in an already confused industry.
Marijuana in the Missouri Wild Alchemy contains sufficient levels of THC to cause a “high” when smoked or swallowed. It is strictly regulated by the state of Missouri with strict labeling and sales tracking.
This is not what is being sold at Soulard Market, along with produce, flowers, seafood, and firewood. According to St. Louis city officials, “Bud Man” products fall into the legal CBD category.
CBD is widely sold without any strict state licensing requirements because it does not contain intoxicating levels of THC, although it may provide pain and anxiety relief for users.
However, city officials are concerned about another sign on the “Bud Man” stand: It advertised Delta-8 THC products. Delta-8 is not addictive in small amounts, but can be in overdose.
Greg Hayes, director of parks, recreation and forestry that oversees Soulard Market, issued a statement saying:
“Our department reviewed this particular vendor’s prior request and we worked directly with a legal advisor to ensure necessary compliance with state law guidelines. We have also made an additional provision regarding the sale of CBD products. The seller provided the city with a notarized document that all products at this particular stand were tested and within legal standards. No Delta 8 products were included in the seller’s request.”
The “Bud Man” stand would not be allowed back into Soulard Market until city officials could clear up any confusion over what was actually being sold, he said.
For licensed medical marijuana dispensaries like Missouri Wild Alchemy, it’s important that Soulard Market, even roadside stands, have rules in place to follow.
“Certainly it might seem a little worrisome to us to see it in a tub by the side of the highway,” said Alexandria Hitchcock of Missouri Wild, who is trying to serve the community with lab-tested, quality THC.
