Introduction: Legal Weed, Illegal Thinking
Earlier this spring, the Tampa Police Department carried out what can only be described as a legally unjustified and scientifically illiterate raid on a fully licensed hemp retailer—Hemp Dispensary of Tampa.
The crime? Selling THCA products.
The problem? THCA is federally legal, and Florida law doesn’t prohibit it either—as long as delta-9 THC levels are under 0.3%. This was not a gray area. This was not a legal loophole. This was a black-and-white case of law enforcement failing to read the law.
Yet there they were: armed with a warrant, seizing product, and acting like they’d just busted a cartel. What they actually did was embarrass themselves, open the city up to a lawsuit, and demonstrate they’ve never read the 2018 Farm Bill—or a basic science textbook.
What Is THCA? Let’s Teach Tampa PD a Little Chemistry
THCA—tetrahydrocannabinolic acid—is the raw, unheated form of THC. It exists naturally in cannabis plants and does not get you high.
That’s right: you could eat an entire jar of THCA flower and feel nothing but bloated and confused (just like the Tampa PD after reading lab results).
Now, when you heat THCA (e.g., by smoking, vaping, or baking it), it converts to delta-9 THC through a process called decarboxylation. That’s when it becomes intoxicating.
But here’s the kicker: Federal law—and Florida law—only regulates delta-9 THC levels, not theoretical THC that might exist someday if you whip out a torch and a chemistry set.
Yes, it’s true: if you light THCA on fire, it becomes delta-9 THC. But unless you’re Officer Jenkins pulling a lighter in the middle of a lab, that’s not relevant to the product’s legality at point of sale.
Federal Law Is Clear — And Florida Isn’t a “Total THC” State
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp products that contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. That’s it. No fine print. No “what-if-it-turns-into-something-else” clause.
Florida aligns with this federal standard. That means:
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Delta-9 THC must be below 0.3% on a dry weight basis ✅
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THCA content does not matter under current Florida law ✅
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Total THC testing (THCA + THC combined) is not required in Florida ❌
Contrast this with Minnesota, where state law bans raw-form THCA flower from being sold to the public, even if it technically complies with federal definitions of hemp.
So no, THCA is not sold in 49 other states. And yes, states like Minnesota have made stricter rules. But Florida isn’t one of them.
So why did Tampa PD act like they were busting Pablo Escobar?
Enter Rod Kight: The Cannabis Attorney With a Working Brain
Rod Kight is a nationally recognized cannabis attorney who’s published more articles on cannabinoid legality than the Tampa PD has search warrants.
When it comes to THCA, Kight has been crystal clear:
“The law doesn’t prohibit THCA. It prohibits delta-9 THC above a certain level. That’s the law. If Florida hasn’t changed that—and it hasn’t—then these products are legal.”
According to Kight, law enforcement must follow what the law says, not what it might mean in an alternate universe where heat guns magically appear during routine transactions.
He’s right. And Tampa PD should be reading his blog instead of raiding compliant businesses.
The Raid: A Masterclass in Wasting Tax Dollars
Here’s how it went down:
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Tampa PD showed up at Hemp Dispensary of Tampa with a warrant based on lab tests
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The lab tests showed THCA content—but delta-9 THC was compliant
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Police seized flowers, vapes, and pre-rolls anyway, claiming the products were illegal
This is like raiding a coffee shop because you could turn their espresso into rocket fuel. The science isn’t the issue. The law is.
Owner Alex Capano was rightfully furious. His business followed every law. The products were tested. Labels were accurate. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) were posted on packaging and available to inspectors.
“We followed every rule. We’re licensed and transparent. And they raided us anyway,” Capano said.
He’s now planning a lawsuit—and Tampa might be writing a big check to make this go away.
“But It Could Turn Into THC!” — That's Not How Any of This Works
This argument—used by Tampa PD to justify the raid—is laughable.
Yes, THCA can convert to THC, but only through intense heat. That conversion does not happen by accident. It doesn’t happen in your pocket. It doesn’t happen on a store shelf.
It’s the equivalent of banning grapes because they can be made into wine.
Imagine arresting a baker because they might ferment dough into alcohol. That’s the level of logic we’re dealing with.
The Internet Reacts: From Memes to Mayhem
The cannabis industry—and the general public—responded with swift and merciless mockery.
Top memes included:
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“Tampa PD: Solving the crime of potential.”
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A cop staring at a raw hemp flower: “Looks illegal to me, boys.”
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“THCA? Must be meth. Let’s raid.”
Industry leaders have called for mandatory cannabinoid training for law enforcement. Because right now, the Tampa PD is giving 2004 DARE energy, but with 2025 consequences.
Florida’s Hemp Businesses Are in Danger
Let’s be real: raids like this send a chilling message to hemp companies across the state.
If you can be compliant and still get raided, what’s the point of following the rules?
The economic damage is real. Inventory is lost. Customers lose trust. Insurance premiums go up. Legal fees pile up. All because a few officers didn’t understand the law.
And when they get sued? Taxpayers are on the hook. It’s financial recklessness on top of legal incompetence.
How to Fix This (And Prevent More Dumb Raids)
Here’s how we stop this from happening again:
1. Mandatory Hemp Law Training for Police
Require every officer who handles cannabis-related investigations to understand the Farm Bill, state-specific laws, and the difference between THC and THCA.
2. Legal Recourse for Raided Businesses
If a raid is found to be unlawful, the business should receive automatic compensation for lost product, lost revenue, and legal expenses.
3. Public Accountability
Officers and departments who screw up this badly should face disciplinary review. Ignorance isn’t an excuse when the law is written in plain English.
Final Word: It’s Legal, You Just Don’t Like It
This raid isn’t just a blunder—it’s a reminder that many in law enforcement still don’t grasp the post-prohibition cannabis world.
THCA is federally legal.
Florida doesn’t ban it.
Delta-9 THC levels were compliant.
Case closed.
If Tampa PD wants to fight cannabis crime, they can go knock on the doors of unlicensed delta-8 shops or bad actors with no COAs. But instead, they chose to raid a legal business with transparent practices and a loyal customer base.
So until the lawsuits finish, the memes will keep coming—and Tampa will remain a punchline.
📣 Know your rights. Know the science. And for the love of hemp—train your police.
📢 #LegalNotCriminal
📢 #THCALegal
📢 #TampaLogicFail
