Recently the NYPD boasted what seemed to be a large marijuana bust. Seizing approximately 106 pounds of the suspected substance, the NYPD's 75th precinct gloated their find on Facebook with a picture of officers surrounded by loads of the substance. In addition to the seizure, member of Green Angel CBD, Ronen Levy was arrested on Nov. 2nd and charged with a felony for the seized substance. Arrest charges were later dropped this Tuesday Dec. 10th by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, when the confiscated plants were tested and found to be legal hemp containing less than 0.06% THC. After the confusion prosecutors had with how to move forward with the case, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez asserted that the case is better handled as a "regulatory than a criminal matter."
"NYPD False Arrest May Lead To $10 Million Lawsuit"
Owner of Green Angel CBD Oren Levy, together with his brother Ronen, filed notices of claim this Wednesday Dec. 11th. The brothers claim that the Nov. 2nd arrest and seizure of their shipment of hemp, dealt a blow to the reputation of Green Angel CBD and has negatively affected their CBD business. Attorney at law Sanford Rubenstein stood by the Levy brothers this Wednesday to announce their claims and call on the New York Assembly to legalize marijuana.
Well known for taking on high profile cases, Rubenstein is eager to take the matter to court. He believes that winning this case will send a strong message that, if appropriate procedures are not followed, and paperwork is ignored, if "you mistake hemp for marijuana, your municipality will pay damages to the victims.” In the claims brought against the NYPD, the Levy brothers together seek a settlement of about $10 million for false arrest and imprisonment, and the confiscation of hemp.
"You Mistake Hemp For Marijuana, Your Municipality Will Pay Damages To The Victims.”
With regulations governing the sale, processing and distribution of hemp constantly changing, regulatory issues become a prevalent problem across states. The resulting arrests and seizures have increased since the government removed hemp from the list of illegal drugs last year. Many people including the officials entrusted to enforce the laws and regulations in place are not knowledgeable of the difference between marijuana and hemp. Though both are the result of the same plant, they have different chemical composition. Hemp lacks the needed level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to induce the high feeling that marijuana is so well known for. With all the regulatory issues risen from the hemp market surge, the reflection of law enforcement and government agency confusion can be noticed. The lack of unison among agencies and law enforcement indicates the need for universal regulations to provide clarity for sellers and growers. In addition to the confusion amongst government agencies, the neglect of law enforcement in handling these issues appropriately, has been creating a loom of even more trouble for legitimate sellers and growers trying to take advantage of the great opportunity the hemp market offers.
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