Popular hemp-based product left student in handcuffs facing charges

"I wouldn't wish this on anybody. Not my worst enemy. This has been awful," said Eli Ochoa.

Eli Ochoa, 17, plays football at Clear Falls High School and has never been in trouble before.

"I think the worst thing he's ever done is lied and what kid doesn't lie, right," said Eli's mother Jessica Ochoa.

So Jessica Ochoa says she was shocked when she got a call about her son being arrested at school.

"Getting put in handcuffs, put in a squad car, taken to juvenile," Eli said.

"When I questioned the officer as to why he was in handcuffs being detained, he said he found him in possession of 27 grams of THC," said Eli's mother. After school officials mistakenly thought Eli had pot brownies, the cops searched his vehicle and found hemp-infused balm.

"A product that we have actually bought multiple times," Jessica Ochoa said. "It really helped my muscles relax after a long day of football or something," Eli Ochoa said.

"It’s a very sad situation. It’s a small town so we know him," said Melinda Auten, owner of Bodhi Essential Oils in Kemah.   

Eli's mother bought the Hemp infused balm at Auten's store.

"It has a THC catalyst, but it is well within the legal limits which is .3 across all 50 states," Auten said.

But the Galveston County District Attorney tells us any amount of THC is illegal in Texas unless prescribed by a doctor.

After many months of worrying and spending tens of thousands of dollars, the charges against Eli were dismissed.

"I want to make sure other parents and people are aware of what the potential dangers are and the legalities behind this and what can happen to them.

Auten, the store owner, says no law enforcement officials have told her she can't sell the hemp-infused balm which remains on her shelves.