Lawsuit Alleges Arkansas Cannabis Lab Is Inflating THC Potency for Some Growers

April 26, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

An Arkansas lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that the state’s cannabis testing laboratories are inflating THC levels in medical cannabis products as part of a scheme to inflate prices, KARK reports. The lawsuit was filed in February on behalf of Jakie Hanan, a medical cannabis patient in the state. A similar lawsuit that alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act was dismissed that month.  

The new lawsuit does not claim any RICO violations but argues THC inflation violates the federal Deceptive Trade Practices Act. 

The lawsuit names Steep Hill as a testing lab that is inflating numbers and that medical cannabis providers prefer laboratories that gives their product higher potency numbers so they can charge a higher price, the lawsuit alleges. Medical cannabis growers Osage Creek Cultivation LLC, Bold Team LLC, and NSMC-OPCO LLC, which does business as Natural State Medicinal, are also named in the lawsuit. 

The lawsuit contends that products with inflated and inconsistent potency are “unable to reliably provide Plaintiff [Hanan] the relief he expected” and that Hanan had cannabis he purchased tested at a second lab which revealed the THC difference. 

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, while attorneys have moved that the case is dismissed.   (Full Story)

In category:THC
Tags:
Previous Post

Researchers warn of mental health risks of high-potency cannabis

Researcher Beatriz Carlini clicks through a few local cannabis retailers’ websites before finding what she’s looking for. Her screen displays a yellow goo, similar in appearance to raw honey, or as the product’s marketing calls it, “Cake Batter.” The substance…
Read
Random Post

UK-based CBD brand Naturecan acquires Oregon production facility

United Kingdom-based CBD and wellness brand Naturecan acquired the IAH Oregon cannabidiol production facility in the U.S. for 8 million pounds (roughly $10 million). Naturecan did not specify how it would satisfy the price of the acquisition. IAH Oregon, headquartered…
Read
Random Post

Kentucky Senate Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill

A Kentucky Senate committee on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee passed the legislation from Sen. Stephen West (R) and 12 other senators in a 8-3 vote. It now…
Read
Random Post

Amazon Delivering Weed in Oklahoma as a Pilot Program? - Not Quite, Man Uses Fake Amazon Van to Shuttle Illegally Grown Cannabis

After several years of an extensive federal investigation, a massive illegal marijuana operation was uncovered in Oklahoma City. The accused allegedly used a counterfeit Amazon delivery vehicle to transport large quantities of marijuana throughout the city. According to federal court…
Read
Random Post

Washington House Panel Approves Senate-Passed Bill To Allow Interstate Cannabis Commerce

A House panel in Washington State took another step toward allowing interstate cannabis commerce on Thursday, advancing a Senate-approved bill that would one day enable businesses in the state to import and export marijuana products. The bill, SB 5069, from…
Read
Random Post

Arizona part of national crackdown effort on hemp-derived Delta-8 THC

Arizona is among several states moving to crack down on delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived substance that's largely unregulated. The big picture: Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia are all eying legislation to close delta-8 sales loopholes over concerns that kids could consume…
Read