A courtroom hearing focusing on the lawsuit involving the Columbia police raid.
Two former employees of Crowntown Cannabis, Connie Jackson and Alessandra Morales, are suing the City of Columbia after being charged with illegal possession during a police raid. While the charges were later dropped, the incident has caused significant emotional distress for the employees. The lawsuit also implicates the city in the closure of the shop, highlighting ongoing legal ambiguities surrounding hemp and cannabis legislation. Their case raises vital questions regarding how local laws are enforced and interpreted.
In a story that has caught the attention of many in the community, two former employees of a now-closed vape shop have decided to sue the City of Columbia, along with SLED Chief Mark Keel. The employees, Connie Jackson and Alessandra Morales, are making some serious allegations, claiming they were unfairly charged with illegally possessing hemp and even conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
This legal battle dates back to January 18, 2023, when the Columbia police conducted a raid at Crowntown Cannabis, a popular shop in the Five Points area. During that raid, officers confiscated an estimated 15 to 20 pounds of what they believed to be marijuana. Two of the store’s employees ended up being charged in connection with the raid, sending shockwaves through the community.
Connie Jackson, who served as the store manager, and Alessandra Morales were both cited during the police action. However, things took a turn for the better for them later, as each was eventually cleared of all charges. Despite their legal vindication, the fallout from the raid has taken a significant toll on their mental health.
The emotional and psychological damages claimed by Jackson and Morales are at the heart of their lawsuit. Both women have spoken about the distress and mental anguish they experienced as a result of the raid and the subsequent legal proceedings. Starting a new chapter in their lives has been incredibly difficult, and they are now seeking damages to cover their out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, attorney fees, and the profound damage done to their reputations within the community.
But the story doesn’t end there. Crowntown Cannabis is also pointing fingers at the City of Columbia, arguing that the local government played a role in its closure. After the charges against Jackson and Morales were filed, the city refused to renew the shop’s business license, effectively strangling the business’s ability to operate. Eventually, the city did grant a conditional license, but with a catch—Crowntown was required to remove any signs that featured the word “cannabis.”
Despite the conditional license, financial difficulties continued to plague Crowntown, leading to its permanent closure in 2024. This was largely attributed to ongoing litigation and the fallout from the legal situation involving its employees.
One of the most complicated issues at the center of the lawsuit is whether the products sold at Crowntown were legal under both state and federal laws. South Carolina’s 2019 Hemp Farming Act permits the sale of processed hemp products, but the law has been criticized for its lack of clarity regarding licensing. Many believe that only manufacturers and processors of raw hemp need a license, suggesting that Jackson and Morales were following the law when selling their products.
One major point of confusion stemming from the law is that processed hemp products can be hard to distinguish from illegal marijuana. This poses a challenge when it comes to law enforcement, making it tricky for police to determine what is legal and what isn’t.
As this lawsuit moves forward, the Columbia Police Department has chosen to stay mum on the situation, declining to make any comments regarding the ongoing legal proceedings. Meanwhile, SLED has also not responded to inquiries about the case, leaving many questions unanswered.
For Connie Jackson and Alessandra Morales, the journey to justice continues as they seek compensation for the emotional turmoil they’ve endured. With their community watching closely, this lawsuit could serve as an important turning point in how local laws are interpreted and enforced, especially concerning hemp and cannabis products.
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