Federal Lawsuit in Arkansas Considering RICO Act: Is This the End of Medical Marijuana in the State?
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On Aug. 4, a proposed initiative to legalize recreational marijuana was rejected by the state Board of Election Commissioners. The commissioners opposed the change, with one of the main issues being the THC levels allowed in edible cannabis products. Now, THC levels are sparking a new controversy about medical marijuana.
A federal lawsuit, filed in Little Rock on July 12, now seeks to apply the federal Racist Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws, which were created to combat organized crime. Arkansas is attempting to use RICO to prosecute medical marijuana vendors in the state who allegedly sold cannabis at less than advertised potency.
RELATED: Here’s why the Arkansas government is opposed to legalizing weed
Pete Edwards, Don Plumlee, and Jakie Hanan, the plaintiffs, argue that they at one point purchased medical marijuana with 25% lower THC levels than advertised and are requesting classification as a class action, wreg.com reported
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In addition, plaintiffs argued that the marijuana business is subject to federal RICO law because large-scale marijuana production and sale is illegal under federal law.
“If successful, it could ultimately affect access to medical marijuana in the state,” local media reported.
RELATED: Arkansas medicinal cannabis company sued for increasing THC levels
The lawsuit alleges that California-based marijuana testing service Steep Hill, Inc. and its Arkansas subsidiary, Steep Hill Arkansas, co-owner of Steep Hill Arkansas, Dr. Brandon Thorton and Brent Whittington, Osage Creek Cultivation, Bold Team LLC and Natural called State Medicine.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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