23 Rutherford County Stores Padlocked For Selling Pot Candy

MURFREESBORO, TN — Nearly two dozen stores across Rutherford County were padlocked Monday for allegedly selling cannaboid-laced pills disguised as candy.

“Operation Candy Crush” teamed up detectives from the county sheriff’s office and the Smyrna, Murfreesboro and La Vergne police departments. In the end, 23 stores were shuttered and 21 people indicted for selling illegal products.

The investigation stemmed from complaints by parents, Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh and Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold said.

According to Fitzhugh, undercover detectives bought products containing cannadbidiol, including gummy bears, gummy worms and other candy costing between $7 and $70 and marketed as mood enhancers or relaxation aids.

“We feel these stores are marketing these items toward minors,” Fitzhugh said. “These items can commonly be confused by a child as candy and are illegal.”

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