CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dispensaries throughout North Carolina are on high alert after an increase in raids being conducted by law enforcement. The goal of those raids is to keep only legal products on store shelves.
Some dispensaries claim they’re playing by the rules, but business owners worry law enforcement can bust down their doors at any time.
"This is a fear that we all share in this industry, of this very thing happening," Crowntown Cannabis CEO Michael Sims said.
Sims admits running his business has been more difficult than expected as various agencies, including the DEA, have targeted dispensaries recently.
“A lot of these raids stem from selling to underage children or minors, and then also selling products that have no clear chain of custody," Sims added. "A few bad players in the industry that are giving us all a bad name.”
Another hurdle for the hemp industry ties with the lack of knowledge coming from legislation surrounding the plant.
“Some of the challenge really are rooted in a lack of education, and I mean a lack of education for the general public or the consumer, for the dispensary owner, for law enforcement, all the way up to the top in terms of those in legislation making our rules and laws," cannabis attorney Natacha Andrews explained.
She said the best way for the hemp businesses to protect themselves is to be proactive.
“Be vocal and be active in not only educating your community, but educating those that are in the position to serve and to lead," Andrews suggested. "Be very vocal and very aware of the changes taking place."
Sims hopes to get law enforcement, hemp owners and the community all on the same page with what’s legal and what’s not so there's less confusion.
"We need the trust of our customers and the trust of our community to trust in us to, know that we are getting the absolute best products we can get you that are safe for consumption and that we have clear chain of custody," Sims said.
Hemp advocates are currently advocating for clearer legislation and proper guidelines in efforts to protect the budding businesses throughout the state.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.