A Kansas CBD shop was raided and its operator arrested after police alleged the outlet was selling hemp products over the limit of 0.3% THC.
The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) executed a search warrant at a CBD American Shaman location in Manhattan, Kansas in late January. The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the store distributed products that violate the Kansas Industrial Hemp Act.
Donald Ince, 46, of Manhattan, was arrested in connection with the investigation and charged with three counts of marijuana distribution and one count of failure to appear. His total bond was set at $15,060, though it is unclear if he was confined.
National chain
The store is under CBD American Shaman, a national retail chain and prominent manufacturer of hemp-based wellness products, including CBD oils, edibles, topicals, and pet supplements. Founded in Kansas City, Missouri, the company has become one of the largest CBD brands in the United States, with franchise stores across the country.
The Kansas Industrial Hemp Act strictly limits the allowable THC content in hemp products to 0.3% by dry weight. Products exceeding this threshold are classified as marijuana and are illegal for distribution or possession. Kansas law also prohibits certain hemp-derived products, such as smokable materials, vaporizing liquids, and unprocessed floral hemp material, unless handled by licensed hemp processors or researchers.
Confusing consumers
RCPD said it “has encountered numerous cases where individuals were cited for possession of marijuana after purchasing what they believed to be legal CBD products” from CBD American Shaman and other local businesses only to discover that the products contained illegal THC levels. “Many of these individuals expressed confusion, as they believed the products they purchased were legal under Kansas law,” the police agency said.
RCPD stressed the importance of businesses ensuring compliance with the Kansas Industrial Hemp Act, and encouraged consumers to purchase CBD products from reputable sources that adhere to legal standards.
CBD American Shaman agreed last year to pay $370,000 for alleged violations of federal law on pesticides, under an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The company reached an agreement with the EPA under which it was penalized for selling and distributing six antimicrobial pesticides it had failed to register as required by federal agencies.
The store is under CBD American Shaman, a national retail chain and prominent manufacturer of hemp-based wellness products. Read More
