Prosecutors and state investigators said Friday that a nearly year-long investigation has found that products sold in some hemp specialty shops are not hemp but are marijuana.

They said testing of products bought by agents during the investigation of CBD specialty stores and vape shops found that many of the smokable products labeled as hemp far exceed the legal limit for THC, which is 0.3% for hemp, as set in the federal farm bill passed in 2018.

“Let’s make it abundantly clear,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said. “This is not hemp. This is marijuana.

“And when field tested for purposes of probable cause, THC levels (were) exponentially higher than would otherwise be lawful under the farm bill.”

Friday’s news conference comes after state and local law enforcement executed search warrants at hemp specialty shops in Troy, Enterprise, Clanton, Wetumpka, and Montgomery on Monday.

Officials said the operation was based on complaints from citizens that some stores were selling products packaged as hemp that carried high levels of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

“Despite the labeling, despite what may be represented, this is illicit drugs,” Marshall said. “And as opposed to going to a local drug dealer to buy your marijuana, this is going to a storefront.”

Officials said no arrests have been made.

“However, this evidence collected this week represents a major step forward in holding these businesses accountable and protecting the health and safety of our communities,” said Chief Shawn Loughridge of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Smokable buds and pre-rolled cigarettes displayed at the news conference were samples from the products seized, officials said. The display included results of ALEA’s tests that showed the THC content far exceeded the 0.3% limit for hemp.

Officials said the investigation and seizures were not related to a new law placing new restrictions on products with THC from hemp, HB445, which takes effect July 1.