Hemp regulations in Tennessee look a bit different this 4/20, thanks to a recently enacted law.
Tennessee House Bill 1376, which introduced new tax rates, age restrictions, penalties and licensure requirements for hemp in the Volunteer State, went into effect Jan. 1. The bipartisan law continues to ban recreational marijuana in the state and classifies THCA as “the precursor of Delta-9 THC” rather than a hemp-derived product.
The most impactful portion of the legislation is that it limits the production and sale of THC hemp-derived cannabinoid products to a concentration of 0.3%. This limits what hemp products can be sold within the state.
Here’s what consumers should know about the THC regulations in Tennessee, and punishments for possessing marijuana, ahead of the unofficial marijuana holiday.
Certain Delta-9 THC beverages, edibles and other products remain for sale in Tennessee, plus certain cannabidiol products, as long as they have a dry weight concentration less than 0.3%. Any cannabinoid other than Delta-9 is restricted to 0.1%, according to Tennessee law.
Only individuals age 21 and older can purchase these legal products.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a prominent chemical compound found in cannabis. You can smoke THC or put it in an edible to get high.
There are a few different versions of THC, including Delta-9, Delta-8, and Delta-10. Delta 9 is the most common.
THC is also used in THCA and THCV, which offer health benefits without the high or psychedelic effects. However, if THCA is heated up and decarbonized, it can cause a high usually associated with marijuana.
Yes, TCHA continues to be legal in Tennessee, as long as it’s within the state’s concentration levels of 0.03
Hemp and marijuana are the same species, according to Healthline. They’re just two different names for cannabis. The main difference between the two is how much THC each contains.
The term “hemp” is used to mean cannabis that contains 0.3% or less THC content by dry weight, according to Healthline.
Marijuana is generally associated with getting high. The term legally refers to cannabis that has more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Marijuana is not legal in Tennessee, but hemp products can be sold.
Given that recreational marijuana is illegal, even having a little bit of weed could result in criminal charges.
The new law classifies simple possession of marijuana, a Schedule VI drug, as a Class A misdemeanor, according to Tennessee House Bill 1376. In Tennessee, that could result in up to 11 months and 29 days of jail time, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. Multiple convictions could increase the punishment.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration classifies different drugs into “schedules” based on the substance’s dependency potential and abuse rate. Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous, and every lower classification generally reflects a lower potential for abuse.
Marijuana is a Schedule VI drug in Tennessee, as defined by Tennessee Code § 39-17-415.
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
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