“To be clear on the outset: No ‘marijuana’ is or has been offered on the Goldwasser (Greatest Buds) enterprise,” the letter reads. “… The false, deceptive, inaccurate, and confused statements submitted by the affiant within the sworn affidavit to help the warrant issued … are primarily based upon misinformation and misunderstandings of the essential distinctions amongst ‘Hashish,’ ‘Hemp,’ and ‘Marijuana.’”
The next is a recap of earlier reporting on the Greatest Buds Depot retailer.
Breaking and getting into incident – Feb. 2023
In line with info obtained from metropolis of Trotwood officers, whereas investigating a report of breaking and getting into in February, 2023, at Greatest Buds Depot — then often called Goldwasser Smoke and Vape — Trotwood police noticed what seemed to be marijuana.
By way of a subsequent investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, the product was decided to be a hemp by-product containing delta-9 THC at a degree under .3%, a substance that’s authorized to own and promote in Ohio.
Trotwood Chief of Police Erik Wilson affirmed that the product obtained by his division was certainly hemp-derived delta-9 with a THC focus of .3% or much less.
“What we confiscated was delta-9 and it was within the correct packaging,” he mentioned, including that any declare on the contrary could also be deceptive. “… My guess is (the enterprise) is placing a smoke display screen up about this to say, ‘I’m promoting marijuana,’ however actually it’s (hemp-derived) delta-9.”
Trotwood officers mentioned the town had acquired a number of calls from involved residents who have been alarmed by the potential of criminality occurring on the enterprise. However Assistant Metropolis Supervisor Stephanie Kellum mentioned they’d no proof Greatest Buds Depot was not following the regulation.
Retailer supervisor Jake Flannagan mentioned his aim is to assist the shop to develop into and stay a reliable supply for a protected and authorized product.
Passage of Challenge 2 – Nov. 2023
Following the passage of Challenge 2 in November 2023, which legalized leisure marijuana use in Ohio, Miami Valley smoke outlets have been ready for extra details about licensing and necessities, however many weren’t against pursuing leisure licenses once they develop into obtainable.
The passage of Challenge 2 was thrilling to Trotwood smoke store retailer supervisor Jake Flannagan as somebody who mentioned he benefited from the state’s medical marijuana program.
Flannagan mentioned his retailer, referred to as Goldwasser Smoke and Vape on the time however quickly however quickly after renamed Greatest Buds Depot, aimed to proceed promoting what it was promoting — vapes, bud, edibles, juices, glassware and extra — for so long as it may.
However the thought of acquiring a leisure license, as soon as that point comes, is one thing the enterprise was speaking about with its legal professionals, Flannagan mentioned.
Deceptive its clients? – Dec. 2023
In December 2023, The day earlier than it turned authorized to own — however not promote — leisure marijuana in Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine singled out Greatest Buds Depot. In a press convention he held up a photograph of the shop’s brand, which depicts two flowery bud characters with hooded eyes seated beneath a cloud of smoke.
DeWine urged lawmakers to help a state Senate invoice dashing up the authorized sale of marijuana to stop progress of the black market.
Greatest Buds Depot continued doing brisk enterprise — although it was unclear precisely what they have been promoting.
On social media, the store posted images of packaging that mentioned “THC: 25%.” They have been insistent, nonetheless, that their product didn’t include delta-8 THC, which is a hemp-derived compound that’s authorized and fewer potent than delta-9.
Supervisor Jake Flannagan mentioned the shop’s merchandise was typically the identical then because it was previous to the Nov. 7 election, with smoking units, gummies, juices, and bud all obtainable on the market to anybody over the age of 21 with a state-issued I.D. No medical or leisure person card required.
Workers promote the power to do “dwell THC testing” of obtainable merchandise in entrance of consumers, vouching that what they provide is the “actual deal.”
A take a look at accomplished by Flannagan on Dec. 8 gave an digital consequence indicating a pattern of retailer product had a complete THC content material of 23%, greater than 76 occasions the quantity allowable in accordance with the Farm Invoice and an obvious contradiction to the store’s product packaging.
In response to direct questions on whether or not the product is authentic marijuana, the reply from Greatest Buds was murky, with staff saying the merchandise is “legit,” however stopping in need of calling it marijuana.
In line with Flannagan, phrases like “bud” and “flower” are OK, however the “M-word” was a tough no.
Search Warrant – April 2024
Trotwood police mentioned they recovered marijuana and 18 firearms whereas executing a search warrant on the smoke store.
“This motion was prompted by info suggesting that the enterprise was unlawfully promoting marijuana in violation of the brand new tips established beneath Challenge 2,” Trotwood police Chief Erik Wilson mentioned.
Police had beforehand made managed purchases on the Salem Avenue location and despatched the merchandise to the state crime lab, the place they examined increased than the authorized restrict on the market in Ohio, Wilson mentioned.
“Throughout the execution of the search warrant, giant quantities of suspected marijuana have been recovered and can be processed and examined additional to find out what their THC content material is,” he added.
Greatest Buds Depot later issued a press release on social media.
“We’ve had a problem with our delivery and a serious misunderstanding between the shippers and regulation enforcement,” the publish learn. “We’ve needed to shut down quickly till we will get every part straightened out. Please be affected person and thanks all upfront for understanding.”
