Federal Marshals raid Texas hemp shop in Denton, 2024

On a Thursday in 2024, Green Goddess Revival, a medical marijuana dispensary in Denton, Texas, was raided by law enforcement, resulting in the seizure of $10,000 worth of products. The raid was initiated based on a warrant that targeted noncompliant THC products. The store manager, Jack Howell, reported that officers claimed to have received a complaint about someone smoking outside the shop, although Howell questioned the validity of this claim. A former employee was arrested during the incident for an unrelated warrant. Despite the raid, Howell maintained that the dispensary's paperwork was in order, demonstrating that their products contained less than 0.3% THC, which is compliant with Texas law for medical marijuana. An officer from the Eastern District of Texas clarified that a member of the federal task force was not operating in that capacity during the raid. This incident has raised concerns among advocates for cannabis legalization, who view the raid as excessive and unwarranted. The Texas Cannabis Collective expressed outrage over the situation, emphasizing the dispensary's role in providing affordable medicine to the community. They highlighted the absurdity of federal marshals targeting a legal business that serves patients in need. The raid comes at a time when Denton, along with other Texas towns, is preparing to vote on adult-use cannabis legalization in November. Additionally, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been actively opposing local initiatives aimed at decriminalizing marijuana, arguing that they violate state law. This ongoing legal battle reflects the broader tensions surrounding cannabis legislation in Texas, where public support for legalization continues to grow.