October the New December …… Ahead of Farm Bill loophole closure, signs a hemp THC crackdown is already underway

MJ Biz

Law enforcement officials have raided and charged dozens of hemp operators across the country, more than six weeks before a new federal ban takes effect.

Key points:

• Law enforcement officials across the country are raiding smoke shops and supposed hemp operators ahead of a new federal ban on most hemp products.
• The raids suggest a crackdown on hemp is already underway, with legal observers suggesting that state law is what should concern the $38 billion hemp industry – not the federal Farm Bill loophole.
• Hemp operators and industry advocates say law-abiding merchants aren’t the focus for law enforcement, which is alleging other, more serious crimes when raiding hemp shops.

With six weeks remaining before most of the $38 billion hemp cannabinoid industry becomes federally illegal, how the new prohibitions will be enforced – and what agency has the necessary resources and willpower available – remain open questions.

But a recent string of raids and arrests around the country of purported hemp sellers suggest a crackdown on hemp THC is already underway, attorneys and advocates contacted for this article said.