WARRENSBURG — The Warrensburg Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office and Missouri Attorney General’s Office are collaborating in an investigation involving deceptive business practices at local smoke shops.
The investigation centers around the sale, labeling and marketing of THC and hemp derived products.
Search warrants were conducted at nine Warrensburg and four Johnson County businesses. Products seized during the course of the investigation were sent to a state-certified lab, where they were determined to be cannabis based products. The businesses in question were not authorized to sell cannabis based products in the state of Missouri.
“We are trying to work this as a statewide initiative to go after illegal drugs,” Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said. “We have legal marijuana in Missouri. It can be sold through dispensaries. None of you have a problem with that. What we have a problem with is the stores that are unlicensed, selling products that they’re misrepresenting the contents of and targeting kids.”
Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Russell described the misrepresentation as a community safety issue that impacts all, including teenagers.
“This is a community safety issue,” Russell said. “We’re concerned about the safety of our kids. The safety of our community. [Warrensburg] is a university town. We are a very strong military county. We want to protect the safety of people who go to these stores. What’s happening is they’re being sold something that’s not labeled correctly. These products are being sold as hemp, when in fact they are cannabis. They contain more than simply cannabis. These lab reports, the same shows across the state; these things can be contaminated with heavy metals and different things.”
Johnson County Sheriff Scott Munsterman stated that in November 2025, his office received information about illegal products being sold out of businesses within the county.
Investigators followed up, working undercover to determine if that was indeed the case. After purchasing the product, lab testing revealed illegal substances.
In March 2026, Russell distributed letters to businesses advising them to remove the illegal product. A follow-up took place in June, where a second round of controlled purchases occurred.
The results came back the same, leading to the draft and execution of 13 search warrants. All were conducted in early July.
“We seized multiple items in question and removed them from the shelving of the store,” Munsterman said.
The Warrensburg Police Department made the investigation into deceptive businesses at five businesses public in social media statements July 8 and July 9.
Warrensburg Police Department Cpl. Stephanie Prindle stated businesses within Warrensburg City limits include Blue Mook Smoke and Liquor, 714 N. Maguire; Valero, 701 E. Hale Lake Drive; Speed Stop, 116 W. Pine; Vapor Maven, 503 N. Maguire; JellyLeaf, 11125 N. Simpson; Discount Smokes and Liquor, 501 N. Maguire; Discount Smokes and Liquor, 1034 S. Maguire; Smok & Vapor, 100 N. Maguire and Tobacco and Vape, 303 E. Cooper Blvd.
Executed warrants at the locations included 1,080 products in alleged violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
“During the investigation, the Warrensburg Police Department detectives identified products that appeared to be inaccurately labeled or misrepresented," Prindle said. “Laboratory analysis and investigative findings indicated that some products contained substances inconsistent with their packaging and marketing, raising concerns of consumer deception.”
The investigation, Prindle said, remains active as laboratory testing and interviews continue.
WPD asks anyone with information related to the investigation to call the Warrensburg Police Department at 660-747-9133.
“The Warrensburg Police Department encourages consumers to use caution when purchasing THC Hemp products and to be aware that product labeling may not accurately reflect product content,” Prindle said.
Hanaway stated businesses will be given one more chance to voluntarily agree to stop selling the products. Legal action will be filed under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act for those who do not.
“It is really important for the safety of the community that we get these stores shut down,” Hanaway said. “And honestly, the reason that I have gone after illegal gambling and illegal drugs is because I believe they are very much the root causes for violent crimes. “It’s where the money comes from - the intoxicating substances that are being sold over the counter. You don’t have to go to your corner drug dealer anymore. People are selling it in these stores …. My objective is to take away the illegal drugs so that we have fewer people addicted and intoxicated people in our communities committing fewer crimes.”
Joe Andrews can be reached at 660-747-8123.
