Sales of popular hemp products will remain legal in Tennessee until at least June. At least in June, there will be a legal challenge to state rules where many bestselling products will go to trial in Nashville.

The decision represents a six-month grace period for Tennessee’s fast-growing hemp industry, with an estimated 2.8 to 560 million since the product was legalized about six years ago, according to industry research data. It grew to annual dollar sales.

The conflict has rules formulated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, requiring new testing of what is called Delta-9 Thc hemp products.

Two industry groups, the Tennessee Growers Union and the Tennessee Healthy Alternative Association, have advocated rules that come into effect on December 26th, representing agency Overreach, and are not banned by the Tennessee Legislature. He claimed it would lead to a ban on the product.

Tennessee hemp industry makes last-minute legal bids to suspend rules banning popular products

State lawyers argued that agricultural agencies are within their rights to set certain restrictions on chemicals in hemp.

A few days before the rules came into effect, Davidson County Premier I’ashea Myles issued a temporary injunction until February 18th. The injunction will remain in effect until the trial scheduled for June 5th.

Hemp is a legally available cannabis factory in Tennessee since Congress first approved it to produce, own and sell in 2019.

It is distinguished from marijuana by the concentration of the compound known as delta-9 THC. Cannabis with concentrations of Delta-9 THC below 0.3% is defined as legal hemp in Tennessee and the federal state. Cannabis at concentrations above .3% are classified as marijuana and it is illegal to grow, sell, or own it in Tennessee.

Hemp flowers also contain THCA, a non-toxic acidic acid that is not prohibited in Tennessee. However, when heated or smoked, the plant’s THCA is converted to Delta-9 THC. This is an illegal Tennessee substance that is present in more than a trace amount. The new rules require testing of the Delta-9 THC, which is generated when the THCA is heated.

2025-01-27 – Order (Allows claims for additional time to develop records (4349408.1)