Hemp Biz Sues NYPD for $10,000,000

A Brooklyn CBD wholesaler whose 106-pound shipment of hemp was seized last month when the NYPD thought it was wacky tabacky plans to sue the city for $10 million in damages. Oren Levy, owner of the Brooklyn-based Green Angel CBD, and his brother Ronen Levy are suing for the loss of the business’s massive shipment, which Oren Levy says is worth $60,000 — and is still in the hands of the NYPD, according to a notice of claim filed Wednesday.

Massive marijuana shipment confiscated by NYPD is legal hemp: business owner They’re also suing for the false arrest of Ronen, who tried to pick up the shipment for his brother from the 75th Precinct after FedEx reported it to the police. “I have friends who are police,” Oren said at a news conference on Wednesday. “I didn’t think they were going to screw me over this way.” Sandford Rubenstein, who represents the brothers, said they are also mulling a lawsuit against FedEx. The Levys’ announcement came a day after the Brooklyn District Attorney announced it was dropping drug trafficking charges against Ronen. But the NYPD is still holding onto the haul for now, saying Green Angel did not have a required permit for the product. NYPD Sgt. Jessica McRorie said in a written statement that the department will review the suit. She also insisted Oren did not have permission from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to sell or buy hemp, and thus was in violation of state law. The city’s Law Department and FedEx did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Citations New York Post & HempireDirect