MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A Lowcountry law firm announced Monday it is filing legal action against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, describing ‘unlawful seizure’ of millions of dollars in inventory from hemp shops around the Lowcountry.
The McGrath Law Firm claims that the DEA’s enforcement actions are a government overreach and caused irreparable harm to law-abiding businesses and their employees across the Lowcountry.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, known commonly as the federal Farm Bill, allows the sale of hemp-derived products that fall within a threshold of no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis by licensed retailers.
According to the McGrath Law Firm, the DEA argues some products sold by affected retailers exceed that threshold. The firm states that the shops purchase their products from licensed nationwide distributors, who present the material as legal. This would mean the hemp shops are caught in the middle.
Additionally, the McGrath Law Firm says the DEA’s raiding of legal businesses, freezing bank accounts, and seizure of business assets far exceed their authority as a government entity.
Attorney Peter McGrath described the administration’s actions as “similar to hitting an ant with a sledgehammer.”
McGrath states that more appropriate approaches could have been taken. Even in situations where the DEA’s allegations have merit, the law firm alleges proper connections between seized products and unlawful activity were not established in the vast majority of instances.
The McGrath Law Firm demands the return of seized property that is not connected to specific alleged violations, supported by affidavits documenting a lawful reason for seizure.
The firm will also evaluate additional legal claims on behalf of its unnamed client based on the manner in which the raids were conducted.
News 2 has reached out to the DEA for comment on this action and is waiting for a response.
