Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The Bismarck Police Department is cracking down on cannabidiol hemp oil sold at local health foods stores, reporting that the product is illegal by federal law.
Around noon on Thursday, three narcotics detectives purchased bottles of CBD hemp oil from Terry's Health Products, 717 East Main Ave., and the BisMan Community Food Co-op, 711 East Sweet Ave. The stores were advised to take the rest of their inventory off the shelves pending testing.
CBD is a non-psychoactive oil made from hemp plants. Some people find that it helps with sleep, seizures, inflammation and appetite. It usually contains, at most, trace amounts of THC, the compound that makes people high from smoking marijuana.
In December, the Drug Enforcement Agency specified that CBD oil, which is commonly available in shops and online, is a Schedule I drug, on the level of marijuana, heroin or cocaine. There is some ongoing litigation over the rule, which opponents say is too broad.
Sgt. Mike Bolme, a detective with the narcotics unit, said the oil purchased at the stores will be tested for CBD and THC. If the results come back positive, police will seize the stores' remaining inventory.
Bolme said the he does not believe the stores intended to break the law, and he is doubtful any charges will be filed.
"If it comes back as a controlled substance, as long as they comply, there won't be any charges," he said.
Lonna Zacher, owner of Terry's Health Products, said she had no idea the "amazing supplement" was illegal.
"I base my reputation and business on helping people and getting people natural, safe alternatives for their health," said Zacher, adding that some customers found relief from anxiety and sleeping issues and one customer found that it helped her dog avoid seizures.
Zacher said she gets her CBD oil independently tested to make sure it does not contain THC.
"You could drink 50 bottles of this and not get high from it," she said.
Andy Askew, an attorney for the Co-op, said the store has been selling CBD oil for the past year and believed the product to be legal in all 50 states.
"The Co-op is committed to selling safe products that are compliant with state and federal laws," said Askew, adding that the store would stop selling the product if determined by local authorities to be illegal.
The crackdown comes as North Dakota introduces medical marijuana, following a ballot initiative that won with 65 percent of the vote in November.
Bolme said the decision to pursue the store came after a tip from the Attorney General's office. A spokeswoman for that office declined to comment.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Bismarck Police cracks down on CBD hemp oil | Courts & Crime | bismarcktribune.com
Author: Caroline Grueskin
Contact: Contact Us | Pages | bismarcktribune.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: bismarcktribune.com | Bismarck, North Dakota News
Around noon on Thursday, three narcotics detectives purchased bottles of CBD hemp oil from Terry's Health Products, 717 East Main Ave., and the BisMan Community Food Co-op, 711 East Sweet Ave. The stores were advised to take the rest of their inventory off the shelves pending testing.
CBD is a non-psychoactive oil made from hemp plants. Some people find that it helps with sleep, seizures, inflammation and appetite. It usually contains, at most, trace amounts of THC, the compound that makes people high from smoking marijuana.
In December, the Drug Enforcement Agency specified that CBD oil, which is commonly available in shops and online, is a Schedule I drug, on the level of marijuana, heroin or cocaine. There is some ongoing litigation over the rule, which opponents say is too broad.
Sgt. Mike Bolme, a detective with the narcotics unit, said the oil purchased at the stores will be tested for CBD and THC. If the results come back positive, police will seize the stores' remaining inventory.
Bolme said the he does not believe the stores intended to break the law, and he is doubtful any charges will be filed.
"If it comes back as a controlled substance, as long as they comply, there won't be any charges," he said.
Lonna Zacher, owner of Terry's Health Products, said she had no idea the "amazing supplement" was illegal.
"I base my reputation and business on helping people and getting people natural, safe alternatives for their health," said Zacher, adding that some customers found relief from anxiety and sleeping issues and one customer found that it helped her dog avoid seizures.
Zacher said she gets her CBD oil independently tested to make sure it does not contain THC.
"You could drink 50 bottles of this and not get high from it," she said.
Andy Askew, an attorney for the Co-op, said the store has been selling CBD oil for the past year and believed the product to be legal in all 50 states.
"The Co-op is committed to selling safe products that are compliant with state and federal laws," said Askew, adding that the store would stop selling the product if determined by local authorities to be illegal.
The crackdown comes as North Dakota introduces medical marijuana, following a ballot initiative that won with 65 percent of the vote in November.
Bolme said the decision to pursue the store came after a tip from the Attorney General's office. A spokeswoman for that office declined to comment.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Bismarck Police cracks down on CBD hemp oil | Courts & Crime | bismarcktribune.com
Author: Caroline Grueskin
Contact: Contact Us | Pages | bismarcktribune.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: bismarcktribune.com | Bismarck, North Dakota News
