LOUISVILLE, Colo. -- The president of a medical-grade hemp company in Colorado is working with authorities in Oklahoma to get back a shipment of about 18,000 pounds (more than 8,000 kilograms) of hemp that was seized by police.
The Daily Camera reports that Panacea Life Sciences President Jamie Baumgartner says the shipment is worth $500,000 and is not insured.
Four people were arrested on Jan. 9 in Pawhuska, Okla., for transporting the shipment. They have since been charged with drug trafficking.
The men say the substance was only industrial-grade hemp and did not contain illegal amounts of THC to make it classify as marijuana.
Court documents filed Jan. 15 say Oklahoma authorities sent samples to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration lab in Dallas, and those results came back saying the substance is marijuana.
Court docs: Tests show drug found in Pawhuska drug case is marijuana
Baumgartner is trying to find out what documents he needs to get back his product.
Baumgartner called the seizure a test case to provide clarity about the interstate transfer of hemp.
Baumgartner said his company had ordered hemp from Kentucky that was being shipped to Colorado via Oklahoma. Baumgartner says the transportation company was avoiding traveling through Kansas and Nebraska under instructions from state transportation officials.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
