Multiple Dispensaries Raided in South Carolina for Sale of Smokable Hemp

• Anderson County dispensaries were visited by deputies last month.
• The deputies confiscated “smokable hemp,” stating that it is illegal.

Dispensaries are a legal place for consumers to purchase medical or recreational cannabis products, depending on the current laws of the state. However, reports from WSOTV state that the local dispensaries in South Carolina experienced a confusing raid, as Anderson County deputies confiscated smokable hemp from Top Hat Tobacco and Cigar, among other locations.

Owner Todd Smith tried to argue to the issue by phone, but official left with thousands of dollars’ worth of hemp. He stated,

“It was a big surprise to use. They’re lumping it in the category with marijuana, but the South Carolina Department of Agriculture defines it as scientifically a different plant.”

The deputies, according to the incident report, originally reported to Top Hat for the “illegal sale of marijuana.” However, no one has been charged, and Smith states that he was not selling marijuana. This seizure follows the recent opinion issued by the Attorney General, voicing that raw hemp, and confirmed processed hemp and related products have to have a license .

The first seizure occurred the day before at the Canes Corner convenience story in Piedmont by the same deputies. This seizure also resulted in no charges.

Hemp was legalized at a federal level with the Farm Bill of 2018, signed by President Donald Trump.