Kobach Says: 'The Law Is The Law'

Ulysses joined other businesses across the state last week who were part of a Kansas Bureau of Investigation operation. According to a press release from the KBI, they were conducting raids on stores accused of selling illegal marijuana and THC products.

Businesses raided here Thursday of last week were Reese's Enterprises Inc., and Tiger Vapes. They were two of  five reported to have been hit by the KBI that day. On Wednesday, October 1, there were 13 businesses raided in the state - three more than originally reported.

According to the KBI and the Attorney General's office, the stores in question have been "documented to be selling THC vapes, THC-infused teas and consumable hemp products that contain more than a trace of THC (.3 percent or less), as well as marijuana bud, flower pre-rolled cigarettes, and other items containing suspected illegal concentrations of THC as prohibited in KSA 21-5705 and KSA 2-3908."

Weapons and money were also seized in some of the business locations named in the search warrants.

“These illegal substances are in our homes, in our schools, and in the hands of our children. They are so widely-accessible that some Kansans are under the impression they are safe,” said KBI Director Tony Mattivi. “Anyone who sells illicit products poses a direct and unacceptable threat to the health and safety of our most vulnerable. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove these poisons from our streets.”

Some arrests were made at the locations in question, including the two locations in Ulysses. Two of the individuals arrested in Ulysses were: Gregory Reese, who was arrested for possession of THC with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, no tax stamp, and interference with a law enforcement officer to conceal, alter or destroy evidence. Tammy Reese was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, no tax stamp, criminal use of a weapon, and interference of a law enforcement officer to conceal, alter or destroy evidence.

Both have since bonded out on their charges.

Attorney General Kris Kobach spoke on what happens next during a press conference in Topeka last Wednesday.

According to Kobach, upon the conclusion of these investigations, the KBI will submit case findings to the prosecutor of each jurisdiction to decide on potential charges. These charges could include unlawful distribution of controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with the intent to sell. Some charges could be felonies.

The laws are nothing new, they have just not been addressed properly. According to Kobach and Mattivi, enforcement of the state's laws on marijuana and THC have only been intermittently enforced or not enforced at all. In addition, they added, the state has received reports of kids showing up to emergency rooms with conditions caused by consumption of these products

"A young teen attempting to purchase tobacco would meet more resistance than they would if buying marijuana from one of the shops included in (the recent) operations," Kobach said.

Kobach said what the businesses in question have been doing is "brazen".

“These are brazen illegal activities," Kobach said. "Not only are many of these stores selling illegal THC vapes, they are also selling pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes. The law is the law in Kansas, and it will be enforced.”

The operation investigating these types of businesses is ongoing and more search warrants may be executed at other locations.

Both Kobach and Mattivi mentioned that the "focus of these raids for charges will be on sellers and suppliers who have been allegedly selling the products, not consumers".

Ulysses Police Department assisted in the raids last week here.

Stores impacted thus far are:

October 1

EZ Smoke and Vape - 2011 N. West, Wichita

EZ Smoke and Vape - 997 S. Woodlawn, Wichita

Whiskey River Trading - 1230 E. 1st, Pratt

Cigarette Outlet - 702 E. 1st, Pratt

Pratt Tobacco and Vape - 301 S. Main, Pratt

Space Out Smoke Vapor & Tobacco - 2629 Market Place Suite C, Salina

Vapor 100 - 220 W. Crawford, Salina

Mountain Gypsy Vape Shop - 1584 Lincoln St., Concordia

The Hanging Leaf - 106 S. Main, McPherson

Sacred Leaf - 2201 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka.

Vapor 100 - 3717 Tenth St., Great Bend

Smoke N Vape -1807 Washington St, Great Bend

Abilene Vape and CBD - 2205 N. Buckeye Ave, Abilene

October 2

Canabolic - 564 S. Oliver, Wichita

Sedan One Stop - 301 West Main, Sedan

Indy Vapes - 223 N. Pennsylvania, Independence

Reese's Enterprises - 119 W. Oklahoma Ave, Ulysses

Tiger Vapes - 245 N. Colorado St., Ulysses