By rssfeeds-admin LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said the agency has confiscated approximately 6,000 illegal hemp products since a July court ruling upholding the state’s ban on delta-8 products.
Officials said DFA enforcement agents made more than 2,800 in-person visits to Arkansas retailers between June 24 and July 14. The agents reminded retailers of the recent ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, advising that illegal hemp products must be removed from their stock.
A DFA spokesperson stated that formal enforcement began in mid-July following the statewide outreach. In addition to seizing thousands of products, two felony arrests were made, and numerous misdemeanor citations were also issued.
DFA officials said seizures were made at Out Community Market on Wright Avenue in Little Rock, Locust Food Mart on North Locust Street in North Little Rock, Tobacco Station Magnolia on E Main Street in Magnolia and King Tobacco 2 on Highway 71-S in Fort Smith.
The felony arrests took place at Grab and Go N West Avenue in El Dorado, officials said, adding that 25-year-old Aiob Abashaar and 63-year-old Abdo Abashaar are facing charges of felony possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent for delivery.
“I am proud of our Regulatory Enforcement Agents for their around-the-clock work to remove these illegal and dangerous products from stores in Arkansas,” said DFA Secretary Jim Hudson. “Their work protects all Arkansans, especially our children.”
Arkansas Act 629 of 2023 prohibits the sale of hemp products, such as those made with or containing delta-6,8,9,10,6a or 10a, containing excess tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the intoxicating ingredient in marijuana. It also requires anyone selling or manufacturing hemp products to have a yearly license.
An injunction was issued shortly after the act was signed to prevent its enforcement. The judge who issued the injunction cited confusing language and conflicts with federal law. Today’s ruling lifts that injunction.
The state appealed the lower court ruling and prevailed in a June 24 ruling.
Regulatory Enforcement Director David Potter stated that while most businesses complied, “a small number of bad actors” continued to keep the products on the shelves or covertly sell them.
The DFA has also sent a letter to affected retailers explaining what the ban covers.
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