The Attorney General won’t sit by and watch Savage Enterprises and its owners enrich themselves and their owners while putting Nebraska’s children and teens, its most precious asset at risk.
By Zach Wending, Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska Attorney-General Mike Hilgers (R), who is determined to clamp down on THC, delta-8 and marijuana products has now reached across state lines with the filing of a lawsuit Friday against a manufacturer and distributor in other states.
Hilgers and his office filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court against Savage Enterprises, a Wyoming corporation based in California. Savage Enterprises is accused in the lawsuit of “woefully failing” Nebraska’s labeling and safety law and that they are trying to “entice” and “ultimately ensnare”, children and teenagers.
A Nebraska consumer alerted the Attorney General’s Office to Savage Enterprises, leading to the investigation, according to the lawsuit.
In the investigation, at least seven edibles or vape products were tested. These purportedly contained certain levels or types of THC but ended up being inaccurate. In the lawsuit, it is alleged that Delta-8 products as well as other tetrahydrocannabinol-containing products were “recklessly” ignored by the company.
The lawsuit claims that Nebraska consumers are unable to predict the ingredients Savage Enterprises uses in its products or understand any potential adverse effects such as intoxication.
Savage Enterprises failed to respond Friday to an inquiry for a comment.
A section of the lawsuit specified exactly how many smoke-and-vape stores in Nebraska and Lancaster County that Savage Enterprises supplied products to. The specific numbers, however, were removed from both the original court document as well the legal filing. The spokesperson of the Attorney General did not provide an answer to a reporter on why specific numbers had been redacted.
Savage Enterprises, according to Hilgers’s office, has advertised in a way that is targeted towards minors.
Hilgers’ office said the advertisement included a Black Friday promo in November 2023 that promoted a free Nintendo Switch, or Sony Playstation 5. It also featured social media content producers promoting Savage Enterprises’ products across various platforms. A Discord server was set up where Savage Enterprises employees could promote their products and give away prizes. Funny memes were posted on the site to make it appear “trendy and hip” and packaging featuring fruity flavors and bright colors.
Savage Enterprises also faces allegations of using sex to appeal, claiming that “young and attractive models” posted sexually provocative images or videos or posted “scantily-clad” photos or videos after using THC containing products.
In the suit, it is stated that “Savage Enterprises recklessly ignored the fact that their strategies would appeal and induce adolescents and teens to Savage Enterprises THC product,”
Hilgers is leading the lawsuit, which alleges violations of Nebraska Consumer Protection Act as well as Nebraska Pure Food Act. He has been in office since 2023. The office of Hilgers has sent over 225 cease-and desist letters since he took office in 2023, 21 just last month.
Those letters have been sent to shops from Ralston to Scottsbluff, including 104 smoke and vape shops in Omaha, 82 in Lincoln, four in Kearney and three in Nebraska City.
Hilgers has worked with Nebraska legislators to try to get these products taken off Nebraska’s shelves, which he believes are illegal already under both state and federal laws. Legislative attempts in the past have failed, but are likely to be revived by 2026.
The latest, in a partnership with State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, would classify most “hemp” products as marijuana and severely limit, if not ban, most hemp and THC-containing products in Nebraska.
Hilgers has asked the Lancaster County District Court for an order to prevent Savage Enterprises, and any “persons in active concert or involvement” with it from engaging in the alleged illegal conduct. The lawsuit asks for $2,000 in damages per state law violation.
The lawsuit says, “The Attorney-General will not stand by as Savage Enterprises and its owners enrich themselves and their owners while endangering Nebraska’s greatest asset: children and teens.”
Nebraska Examiner was the first to publish this story.
Kimzy Nanney provided the photo.