In a landmark settlement that underscores the critical legal differences between hemp and marijuana, two Tennessee businesses will recover $735,000 after law enforcement illegally seized their legal hemp inventory, exposing significant gaps in local law enforcement’s understanding of cannabis regulations.
On May 9, 2024, Spring Hill Police Department seized 231 pounds of legal hemp from Old School Vapor and SAK Wholesale in Columbia, Tenn.—based partly on District Attorney Brent Cooper’s inflammatory claim that hemp and marijuana are “the same damn thing.” Today, that statement has proven both legally and financially costly.
“This settlement is more than a financial recovery—it’s a critical statement about law enforcement’s responsibility to understand and respect the law,” said Alex Little, attorney at Litson PLLC. “Hemp is a legal agricultural product, and businesses should not live in fear of arbitrary seizures based on ignorance.”
The case highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face in the hemp industry, where regulatory confusion can lead to devastating economic consequences. While the authorities have not admitted wrongdoing, the substantial settlement speaks volumes about the merits of the businesses’ claims.
H/T: www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com
