The police raid at Crowntown Cannabis led to significant legal challenges and emotional turmoil for the employees.
In a significant development in Columbia, two former employees of the now-closed Crowntown Cannabis vape shop have filed a lawsuit against the City of Columbia and SLED Chief Mark Keel following a police raid in January 2023. The plaintiffs, Connie Jackson and Alessandra Morales, claim false imprisonment and malicious prosecution after being subjected to an undercover operation that led to emotional distress. The incident also resulted in the shop’s closure, raising questions about the legality of hemp products and the enforcement of hemp laws in South Carolina.
Columbia is buzzing with news as two former employees of the now-defunct Crowntown Cannabis vape shop have decided to take a stand and file a lawsuit following a dramatic police raid that shook their world back in January 2023. The plaintiffs, Connie Jackson, who was the store manager, and Alessandra Morales, are seeking justice against the City of Columbia and SLED Chief Mark Keel.
Picture this: in the heart of Columbia, an undercover operation by the police led to a raid on Crowntown Cannabis, where officers seized what they believed to be 15 to 20 pounds of “green, plant-like material.” This incident painted a vivid picture of legal challenges and uncertainties surrounding hemp, as Jackson was slapped with charges including conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of hemp without a license. Morales, although ticketed, was fortunate enough to avoid arrest.
As fate would have it, both Jackson and Morales found themselves cleared of all charges. However, these legal ordeals led them to a shocking conclusion: they were victims of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. The duo claims that the raid caused them serious emotional and psychological turmoil, leading to distress and embarrassment that could make anyone’s heart race.
Not stopping at personal grievances, Crowntown Cannabis is also throwing its hat in the ring with the lawsuit. The shop asserts that the City of Columbia’s actions contributed to its eventual closure after the city refused to renew its business license due to the ongoing legal debacle against its employees. While the city later granted a conditional license, it came with harsh stipulations requiring the removal of any cannabis-related signage, like a shadow over a once-vibrant business.
Ultimately, Crowntown Cannabis bid farewell to its operations in 2024, worn down by the heavy burdens of financial losses, litigation expenses, and a significant drop in sales. Store owner Mike Sims holds onto the belief that the police specifically targeted his shop to send a message but insists that his business was operating within the legal boundaries set by both federal and state laws, focusing on legal hemp-derived THC products.
The ongoing lawsuit has certainly sparked heated discussions about whether the products sold at Crowntown Cannabis were indeed legal under current laws. The confusion lies in the delicate lines distinguishing legal hemp from raw marijuana — all of which draws on the need for clarity in laws that are still developing. The plaintiffs highlight the misleading claims propagated by Columbia Police Department about their products, as hemp can look and smell remarkably similar to marijuana, leading to this tangled web of legal troubles.
The legal team of Jackson and Morales asserts that a prior undercover operation culminated in a product purchase, only for the CPD to later declare it marijuana. However, the plaintiffs stand firm, insisting it was purely legal hemp. This entire situation sheds light on the complicated enforcement of hemp laws in South Carolina, sparking conversations around the need for clearer legislative guidance regarding the sale and processing of hemp and, ultimately, protecting local businesses.
Through this legal battle, Jackson and Morales are seeking substantial damages to cover various aspects including emotional turmoil, attorney fees, loss of income, and the irrevocable damage to their reputation that the raid and subsequent events caused. As the saga unfolds, Columbia watches closely, wondering how this might impact the future of hemp in their community and beyond. Will they find the clarity they seek? Only time will tell.
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