Lawsuit Filed Against CMPD Over Alleged Unlawful Arrest for Hemp Possession
A man named Anthony Lee has filed a federal lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and two officers, alleging unlawful arrest and excessive force stemming from a controversial arrest near a Bojangles on South Tryon Street in November 2023. The…
Charlotte, NC, July 27, 2026 —
Anthony Lee has initiated a federal lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and two of its officers. The suit alleges unlawful arrest and excessive force in connection with an incident that occurred in November 2023 near a Bojangles location on South Tryon Street.
According to the lawsuit, Lee and his fiancée were apprehended by law enforcement. The basis for their arrest, as stated in the filing, was the alleged smoking of legally purchased hemp products, which the officers reportedly mistook for marijuana. The incident gained attention, partly due to a viral video that emerged involving Lee’s fiancée.
The legal action claims that the arrest and subsequent treatment constituted violations of Lee’s rights. The lawsuit further states that all charges initially filed against both Lee and his fiancée have since been dismissed.
The specific details regarding the identities of the two officers named in the lawsuit were not immediately available. The lawsuit seeks damages and relief from the court for the alleged wrongful actions by the CMPD and its officers. No further details on the timeline for court proceedings or specific demands within the lawsuit were provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Spencer Chrisman on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
