The Ybor City Stogie: Suncoast NORML

Sunday, May 18, 2025

First Licensed Hemp Retail Company in Florida Raided by Law Enforcement in Tampa

The legal team representing Dannie Steven Jones Jr., owner of Smokey Jones LLC, announces a press conference to address the recent raid by the Tampa Police Department, becoming the first in the state of a licensed hemp retail company for possessing and selling federally legal THC-A flower.

The press conference will be held on Monday, May 19th, at 2:30 p.m. outside Courtroom 17 of the Hillsborough County Courthouse.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, May 19, 2025

Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Outside Courtroom 17, Hillsborough County Courthouse

Background: On April 15, 2025, the Tampa Police Department executed a search warrant at Smokey Jones LLC, located at 4035 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33614. Numerous items were seized during the raid.

Smokey Jones LLC is a registered business with the Florida Department of Corporations and a licensed Hemp Food Establishment by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The raid was based on law enforcement's belief that the establishment was selling illegal marijuana, despite the products being federally legal hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of less than 0.3%. Law enforcement seized over two-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of hemp products and took all the money out of the cash register and safe and proceeded with a forfeiture action on the belief that the money was derived from illegal drug sales. Key Points:

\Smokey Jones LLC has maintained compliance with his business registration and Florida Hemp license regulations. • The Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalized hemp federally, allowing it to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, shipped throughout the country, and sold by licensed entities. • The Tampa Police Department's actions are being challenged as they are believed to be in violation of both state and federal laws. • The lab testing done by the Tampa Police Department does not isolate the different molecules in the hemp plant but instead combines both legal THC molecules and regulated THC-molecules causing false positives.

The roadside Nik tests used by the Department does not quantify the percentage of different THC molecules in a sample and only compares the ratio of CBD to THC in the sample.

The Defendant's legal team is preparing a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against the Tampa Police Department and the State Attorney's Office.

The Defendant, Dannie Steven Jones Jr., is surrendering to the court to face criminal charges filed by the Tampa Police Department and to fight for all licensed hemp companies in the state to not be subject to criminal charges before the Florida Department of Agriculture is involved. Statement from Michael C. Minardi, Esq.:

"We believe that the raid on Smokey Jones LLC was conducted without probable cause and in violation of both state and federal laws. Our client has always operated within the legal framework and has been in good standing with the Florida Division of Corporations and the Department of Agriculture since 2018. We are committed to defending our client's rights and ensuring that justice is served." Quote from Dannie Steven Jones Jr.: "I am surrendering to the court to face these charges because I am innocent. I never intentionally possessed or purchased products that were not compliant with Florida law. While other licensed entities with the same violations are given stop sales or fines by the Department of Agriculture, my store was raided, my name was dragged through the mud, and we are being treated differently than all other licensed hemp retailers in the state. In fighting for my freedom, it is not just for myself, but for all licensed hemp companies in Florida.

We must ensure that all hemp businesses are not subject to being raided, arrested, and having their hard earned money taken involvement from the Florida Department of Agriculture." Members of the media are invited to attend the press conference to learn more about the case and the legal actions being taken. For further information, please contact Michael C. Minardi, Esq. at 813.995.8227 or via email at Michael@Minardilaw.com. Carlos Tpd raided a hemp shop and they put out a warrant for his arrest. He's turning himself in at this press conference