Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson Monday announced the results of a multi-day inspection sweep of over 50 businesses in 27 Florida counties.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspectors seized 653 packages of Tianeptine, commonly referred to as “gas station heroin,” and 1,272 packages of THC-O. Inspectors seized the illegal products or placed them under a stop-sale order to prevent any potential harm to consumers.
“We will continue to direct all available resources and work with state and local partners to ensure these dangerous and harmful products, whose type and make up are constantly evolving, stay out of the state of Florida and out of the hands of our children,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
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Inspectors found Tianeptine at stores in Lee and Orange counties and THC-O products in Clay, Highlands, Hillsborough, Leon, Miami-Dade, Pasco, Polk, and Seminole counties.
Attorney General Ashley Moody filed an emergency rule last month that prohibited the sale of Tianeptine, or “gas station heroin,” in Florida. THC-O is categorized as a controlled substance under federal and state law, §893.03(1)(c)190, Fla. Stat.
Today’s announcement follows the department’s seizure of over 1,700 illegal hemp, THC-O, and Amanita Muscaria mushroom products last month from a South Florida business.
During the 2023 legislative session, Commissioner Wilton Simpson worked with Senator Colleen Burton and Representative Will Robinson to reform Florida’s food laws to better protect consumers and children. To enforce these law changes, the department conducted the largest-ever inspection sweep of businesses selling products that contain hemp extracts in July and August.
The statewide inspection sweeps specifically targeted the sale of hemp extract products that are attractive and/or marketed to children, which is prohibited by Florida law.
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The sweep included inspections of more than 700 businesses in all 67 Florida counties and uncovered over 83,000 packages of hemp extract products, including euphoric, high-potency THC products, targeting children.
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