2020 Top Stories Collection

Bud tested above limits

Lab results were returned to the prosecuting attorney’s office from a Drug Task Force raid, which seized $10,000 worth of flower suspected to be marijuana from the Tobacco SuperStore in Mena

Of the nine samples that were sent for testing, six were not in compliance for state law’s definition of hemp.

Prosecuting Attorney Andy Riner, for the 18th West Judicial District, said he does not have intentions to prosecute the clerks at the store or the owner of the state-wide chain.

Riner said he asked for the search, seizer and testing after drug court participants were testing positive for THC, who claimed the product was purchased at the Tobacco SuperStore.

The THC limit for hemp flower in the state is .3%. To be classified as marijuana, or an illegal substance, the labs would have to allow for the margin of error, resulting in THC levels of .36%.

Riner said lab results from some of the samples returned THC levels as high as .41% and .55%.