Arkansas Officials Seize 6,000 Illegal Hemp-Derived THC Products Statewide

Following a June ruling by the U.S. Eighth Circuit upholding Arkansas’ 2023 Act 629 ban on intoxicating hemp products, the Department of Finance and Administration’s Regulatory Division began formal enforcement in mid‑July after an earlier injunction was lifted. Between June 24–25 and July 14 agents made more than 2,800 in‑person visits to retailers and seized roughly 6,000 illegal hemp‑derived THC products statewide. Enforcement has produced two felony arrests and numerous misdemeanor citations. Authorities said many seized items contain delta‑8 and other THC isomers and are packaged to resemble candies, snacks or drinks, posing public‑health risks especially to youth. DFA officials said the ban prohibits sale and possession of these products, requires licenses for sellers and manufacturers, that most retailers complied while a small number of “bad actors” continued covert sales, and that the Regulatory Division— which oversees alcohol, tobacco and medical marijuana permits—will continue removing illegal products to protect communities.