Some Kansas CBD shops temporarily close due to KBI raids

TOPEKA (KSNT) – State law enforcement raided several CBD stores across Kansas this week, prompting some to close their doors to customers.

Stripping their product off the shelves, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation claims there is too much THC in the items. State law says any consumable under 0.3% THC is legal. But another state law contradicts this, saying any consumable with hemp-derived products is illegal.

This led some store owners to temporarily close, in fear of felony charges for selling products they might be clear to sell.

“Our industry is the only industry that is regulated by being threatened with imprisonment or a felony and the loss of our livelihood, scaring our employees and our consumers,” said CBD American Shaman Owner, Jason Todack. “We desperately want regulation.”

The KBI is confiscating products that they believe are over the 0.3% THC limit. That’s three milligrams of THC in a one-gram product. Store owners argue that 0.3% THC does not always equal 3 milligrams of THC, like when a product weighs more than one gram.

Confiscated products law enforcement claims are illegal means lost money for business owners.

“The labeling on the package is very clear. The math doesn’t work right,” said KBI Director Tony Mattivi. “If it’s ten milligrams THC or five milligrams THC in the amount of volume that’s in those cans. That’s well above the point 0.3%.”

While the math and terminology in the statutes and product labeling create a grey area for misinterpretation, Todack says one simple way to protect Kansans is being overlooked.

“We believe there needs to be regulation, that you’re over the age of 21 to purchase it. We understand that there’s bad players. There’s people out there selling the 16-year-olds. I personally can’t do nothing about it,” CBD American Shaman, Jason Todack said. “But I’m stepping forward as Kansan and actually putting these bills and voting the right people in place. We can stop the underage children from getting a hold of these things, because right now in Kansas, there is no law saying what age you are to be able to purchase cannabis products.”

Todack went to the attorney general’s office today to get clarification and will be reopening CBD American Shaman on Saturday.

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