Mistrial declared in the case of a smoke shop owner accused of selling banned substance

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY TV) - A mistrial in the case of a smoke shop owner in Moorhead accused of selling a synthetic marijuana that's banned under state law.

30-year-old Andrew Leikas from Portland, Oregon owns Mellow Mood. He was charged with a gross misdemeanor for selling the synthetic drug and another misdemeanor for being in possession of it.

The judge declared a mistrial after the 6-person jury failed to reach a verdict. Back in July, an undercover officer purchased a 1-gram baggie of Raw Earth Herbal Smoke Blend, which allegedly tested positive at the state crime lab for a banned chemical.

Leikas had a private lab analyze the product and it tested negative. A date for a new trial is expected to be set soon.

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