Tennessee Senate passes bill restricting THCa in hemp products
The Tennessee Senate voted to pass a bill that will place limits on THCa in hemp products, potentially pulling the most popular hemp product in the state off shelves. The bill also moves oversight of legal hemp sales from agriculture to alcohol regulators, changes how products are taxed and where they can be sold, taking effect at the start of 2026.
THCa flower makes up between 60% to 90% of sales at hemp retailers across the state. The bill restricts THCa and THCp concentrations to less than 0.3%, aiming to close what some call the “lettuce loophole.” Some lawmakers argue that THCa’s legal status after hemp regulation in 2023 was due to a loophole and lack of understanding.
The bill aims to protect children by restricting hemp sales to businesses catering to customers over 21 years old. Smokeable flower and vapes will be eliminated, but other products like edibles, drinks, and topicals can still be sold. Some in the industry are considering legal action to contest the new rules.
The bill’s passage has sparked concerns among hemp industry members, with lobbying efforts to sway representatives against it. The transition to regulation by the alcohol commission is also feared to be a bureaucratic challenge. Business owners like Chris Sumrell of FarmtoMed in Soddy-Daisy face an uncertain future as they wait for clarity on the impact of the new regulations.
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