Lexington denies business license for hemp company

The Lexington Town Council held a special-called meeting and business license hearing with the town attorney on Monday, Oct. 19, to discuss the appeal of a business license application for Midland’s Pure Hemp Co. LLC. 

Town Attorney Tommy Morgan attended to address the denial of the business license alongside Jessica Lybrand, director of the town’s Planning and Building Department.

According to Lybrand and Morgan, the business license application was submitted Sept. 14. The applicants’ stated business purpose was to “handle and sell hemp-based products from their home.”

Morgan explained that the business also was required to obtain a home occupation permit. Lybrand asked the company to provide a detailed list of the products it intended to sell, as well as a copy of its South Carolina Department of Agriculture permit. 

The company failed to provide the requested documentation. After Midlands Pure Hemp Co. was notified that its business license application had been denied, the company filed an appeal.

Following an executive session, Councilman Todd Lyle recommended that the council uphold the Planning and Building Department’s decision to deny the license for the home-based hemp business.

“After reviewing the record and the position put forth by the town, I would make a motion that this council affirm the town’s decision to deny the business license to the home hemp business for various reasons but for a threshold matter for failure to follow the protocol and to have the appropriate permit from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture,” Lyle said. “As a threshold matter, it fails. Therefore, I would vote to affirm the town’s decision.”

The council voted unanimously to uphold the denial of the business license.