Tennessee officials will have to pay a $735,000 settlement to two hemp businesses after law enforcement seized more than $1 million worth of hemp under the assumption it was illegal marijuana.
Officers seized hundreds of pounds of hemp flower from four Old School Vapor stores and a SAK Wholesale warehouse in Spring Hill and Columbia — their entire inventories, lawyers said — according to a complaint filed earlier this year.
The product was never returned, Alex Little, an attorney representing the Middle Tennessee businesses, said by phone. Even if it had been, it would have likely tested above legal limits by the time it was returned, Little said, especially if stored improperly. As hemp is exposed to light and heat, it develops more psychoactive qualities.
(READ MORE: Tennessee groups sue attempting to stop hemp rules limiting THCa products)
“They probably could have sold it to Colorado if they were smart, but oh well,” Little said.