An investigation into south Mississippi businesses selling “alcohol, dangerous illegal vapes, THC edibles,” and other age-restricted or illegal items to underage customers has resulted in at least a dozen arrests with more possible, according to law enforcement.

An announcement by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office said deputies began an investigation in early 2024 after fielding complaints that some businesses in the county were purposely allowing individuals under the age of 21 to purchase age-restricted products.

Sheriff Jacob Garner said as the investigation unfolded, it quickly became clear that the issue was not restricted to Perry County. Law enforcement in nearby Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Greene, Jefferson Davis, and Jones counties had received similar complaints about businesses in their jurisdictions.

Local agencies teamed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for over a year’s worth of identifying subjects, initiating traffic stops, and fielding more calls for service. It culminated on Sept. 11 after 20 search warrants were carried out, with 12 individuals being arrested for their involvement in the businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, and THC to minors.

RELATED: Parents urged to talk with students about tobacco risks

“Anyone who chooses to open a business in Perry County for the purpose of selling illegal narcotics, vapes, or THC products to children or adults will be arrested and prosecuted,” Garner said. “These items – disguised as safe or legal – are destroying lives and endangering the health and safety of our citizens. Business owners profiting off the harm of our children and adults in our county will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Garner added that many of the defendants, while operating in different counties, were working in tandem. The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol aided in the investigation that remains active.

The following list of arrests and charges has been announced by the involved law enforcement agencies:

• Khaled Alhamidi, 55, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
• Akram Alhamidi, 25, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
• Omar Obaid, 40, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
• Gaizan Abubaker, 37, of Houma, La.: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
• Rami Selah, 32, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
• Bassel Saleh, 53, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
• Mark Shaibi, 24, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.
• Gabr Al-Gabri, 36, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
• Basel Rashad, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm.
• Anmed Elgabry, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
• Mohammed Riyadh, 31, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
• Ahmedou Mohamedlaamar, 22, of Perry County: Aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.

Donald Trump is reportedly looking at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the US.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president is ‘looking at’ making a huge change, which would make it easier to buy and sell weed, making the multibillion-dollar industry more profitable.

The publication’s sources claimed that during a recent fundraiser held at his New Jersey golf club, where tickets for the event went for a whopping $1 million each, the Republican leader first spoke of the potential plans.

He allegedly said he was ‘looking at’ possibly changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance.

In simple terms, this doesn’t mean it would make the drug completely legal across the US, but it would help ease restrictions on it.

Donald Trump is reportedly considering whether to reclassify marijuana in the US (Bloomberg/Getty Images)

At the event, speaking of tweaking the federal restrictions for the drug, Trump allegedly said: “We need to look at that. That’s something we’re going to look at.”

Then, according to The Telegraph, speaking at a press conference on Monday, the US president affirmed: “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over, I’d say, the next few weeks.”

He reportedly added that the decision is ‘very complicated’ – so, let’s break it down.

How do US marijuana laws work?

At a federal level, marijuana remains illegal in the US as per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, however, many states have made their own rules for cannabis use.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s federally classified as a Schedule I drug – this means that federal law considers it to have a ‘high potential for abuse’ and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.

But, despite its federal classification, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have fully legalised weed, meanwhile others have opted to only allow it for medicinal purposes.

Cannabis legalisation in individual states can be done in a number of ways, ranging from fully illegal to legal for both medicinal and recreational use.

If you’re in a state that has completely legalised recreational marijuana and you’re 21 or older, you have the right to use cannabis products for your own personal enjoyment.

However, this doesn’t always mean it’s legal to purchase – confusing, I know.

For example, while it’s illegal to buy marijuana in Washington, DC, it’s legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of it and grow up to six marijuana plants in the district.

So essentially, it’s all down to the state you’re in and their specific regulations.

America’s cannabis laws can be a tricky subject to wrap your head around (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?

If Trump were to go ahead and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, this would be a pretty big change up and down America.

According to the US government’s website, Schedule III drugs are defined as drugs ‘with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence’ and their ‘abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs’.

Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.

Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Some examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and as of right now, marijuana.

It’s important to note that the switch up would not make marijuana completely legal – it would just help ease restrictions and create more opportunities for medical uses and possible tax breaks for marijuana companies.

The Republican leader is said to be ‘looking at’ possibly switching marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug (Emilija Manevska/Getty Images)

Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?

States where marijuana is fully legal:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia (CBD oil only)
• Hawaii
• Indiana (CBD oil only)
• Iowa (CBD oil only)
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee (CBD oil only)
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin (CBD oil only)
• Wyoming (CBD oil only)

D.C. board rejects ANC 5A challenge to new medical cannabis retailer in Ward 5

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has rejected ANC 5A’s bid to reinstate its protest against a new Clinical Solutions medical cannabis dispensary in Ward 5, ruling that the ANC’s objections about daycare proximity and safety lacked the specific statutory grounds required to proceed; the license application remains on track, though the decision can still be appealed.

• Alt Sol was featured by wtop News.
• Catch up on today’s ABC Board meeting: watch, agenda. 
• Sept. 24, Black Cannabis Week’s D.C. event, “From Prohibition to Policy.” 
• A GOP-led House committee is advancing a bill to repeal Washington, D.C.’s Second Chance Amendment Act—which automatically expunges past cannabis possession records—framing the move as part of a broader “restoring law and order” initiative. 

Workers protest at Maryland dispensary grand reopening over labor disputes

Cannabis workers and community members protested outside The Apothecarium’s grand reopening in Cumberland, Md., on Sept. 5, alleging the company engaged in union-busting and stalled contract negotiations since employees voted to unionize last year. UFCW Local 27 says workers are demanding fair pay and just cause protections, while the company has not yet issued a response.

Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race may decide future of legal cannabis market

Over half of Virginians have used cannabis, but the state currently lacks a legal retail market, though a bipartisan commission is studying its potential and the issue is expected to hinge on the 2025 gubernatorial election. Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger supports establishing a regulated retail market to boost revenue and public safety, while Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears opposes legalization, citing cannabis as a gateway drug.

ICYMI: D.C. Dispensaries Boom, Trulieve Expands, Virginia Cannabis Hits a Turning Point

East Coast Roundup

Once a dominant force in Massachusetts‘ cannabis industry, Fitchburg-based Rev Clinics supplied products to approximately 75% of the state’s dispensaries. However, the company has faced significant challenges leading to its collapse.

A CBD shop in Connecticut shut down following allegations of illegal cannabis sales. The owner has agreed to a settlement.

New York’s licensed cannabis sales surpassed $2.09 billion, with over $1 billion generated in 2025 alone, indicating a robust and expanding market despite market turmoil.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management announced the transition to the Metrc system for tracking cannabis from seed to sale will start in 2026.

Delaware’s recreational cannabis market achieved $7.3 million in sales during its inaugural month, signaling a strong consumer demand.

The Massachusetts Attorney General certified 44 ballot proposals for the 2026 election, including one aiming to repeal the state’s 2016 law legalizing recreational marijuana sales. This proposal, led by Sudbury resident Caroline Alcock Cunningham, seeks to shut down recreational dispensaries and impose civil penalties for public possession exceeding one ounce.

Culture & More 

A new report highlights a significant rise in cannabis use among Americans aged 65 and older, with a 46% increase between 2021 and 2023. 

USF Credit Union has introduced ‘Verde,’ a cannabis banking program aimed at providing financial services to the legal cannabis industry in Florida. 

A new study found that THC can reach the human egg and may affect female fertility. Women who had THC in their follicular fluid showed a small increase in egg maturity but a lower rate of healthy embryos.

Around the Country 

Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is expanding rapidly, with an average of 50 new patient cards issued daily. As of August 2025, the state has approximately 50,000 active cards, up from 40,000 in June 2024. 

Texas retailers are relieved after the state legislature failed to pass a ban on THC products during the second special session. Despite this, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains committed to a total ban, citing concerns over youth access.

California’s use of drones to monitor illegal cannabis cultivation led to unintended consequences, including the targeting of residents without cannabis operations. In Sonoma County, drone surveillance resulted in fines, evictions and legal battles for individuals who had no cannabis involvement. 

From the swamp

Former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway is reportedly a strong proponent of rescheduling cannabis, according to a GOP congressman. Her support adds a notable voice to the ongoing debate over federal cannabis policy reform. 

OPINION: A Washington Post opinion piece argued that a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill allows children access to psychoactive hemp-derived substances like delta-8 and delta-10 THC.