New hemp restrictions cause a stir

EASTERN SHORE, Md. — Last Wednesday congress reopened the federal government with a funding bill but it included restrictions on hemp with certain THC levels. Officials explained more on how this is making an impact on the local level.

Wednesday, Smoke Art in Salisbury was raided by state officials. They’re just one business facing new pressure as new government rules now ban a wide net of intoxicating products made from the hemp plant.

Steven Timbol, a customer at Hi-Tide dispensary said, “If it is truly THCA, I see nothing wrong with it. But the minute they start to add stuff or spray whatever chemicals on it, embalming fluid or whatever it is to get that effect, I think it’s wrong. Do I think the cops should look into that? Yeah, absolutely.”

In the US, hemp has not been as regulated as marijuana in the past. Critics say that allows for the manufacturing of synthetic THC products. Timbol said he has had his own bad experiences with those types of products.

“I kind of started feeling itchy and warm and, and then everything around me kind of started getting distorted, almost a bit mushroom like, in a way, but less fun, less natural feeling. And, I don’t know, it gave me this overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety.” he added.

Hi-tide General Manger, Ian Chenkin agreed saying the dangers of using synthetic products from alternative outlets are real.

“We’ve had people come in off the boardwalk saying they bought something from one of those shops and they were having nausea or headache and that’s due to, again, bad processing.” said Chenkin.