District Attorney Jim Martin announced a warning to store owners about the presence of items marketed and sold as containing hemp or hemp derivatives.

Consent searches by the Lehigh County Drug Task Force were recently conducted at several Lehigh County businesses and a variety of delta-8, delta-10 and some delta-9 products (containing more than 0.3%) were seized.

These products may include vaping liquid/products, vegetable matter and edibles.

Business owners and retailers selling those illegal products may choose to cooperate with law enforcement in lieu of facing criminal charges.

Cooperation includes the immediate surrender to law enforcement of the illegal products from the establishment and ceasing any future sales of such products.

Should the sale of the products resume, the store owners and employees could be charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance - a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 - or possession with intent to distribute - a felony offense punishable as a first offense by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Martin said it is important for the public to be aware of such products which could put purchasers at risk of arrest or injury and are against the law.

Both the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control have issued warnings that these THC products are untested and agencies have received reports of adverse effects in people who consumed them.