After a hearing Friday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge said he will decide next week whether to stop law enforcement from cracking down on certain hemp products while the case moves forward.
Lawyers for the state and the Hemp Industry Trade Association spent the afternoon questioning and cross examining five witnesses.
Attorney General Kris Mayes argues that it’s illegal to sell intoxicating hemp products without a state dispensary license.
Hemp advocates argue that edibles, vapes and drinks, which were available for years in Arizona, are legal under the 2018 U.S. farm bill.
A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detective testified that the focus so far has been to seize intoxicating hemp products while in transport.
Arizona law taking effect in 2026 targets marijuana promotion to underage people
A new law approved by a wide margin and signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs will put curbs on how those state-regulated establishments that sell marijuana can promote their products. The key, according to Rep. Selina Bliss, is to stop promoting the drug, which is legal for adults, to anyone younger than 21.