Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Banning THCA

Tennessee cannabis laws are seeing some changes. Recent legislative amendments centered around hemp-derived cannabinoids have passed both the State Senate, as SB 1413, and the House, as HB 1376. These bills are predicted to redefine hemp products and impose stricter regulations on compounds like THCA and delta-9 THC. Let’s take an in-depth look at these bills and the proposed legalization laws.

Is Weed Legal in Tennessee? And Other Key Cannabis Questions

First, the answers to key questions regarding Tennessee and cannabis:

• Is weed legal in Tennessee? No. Neither medical nor recreational has been legalized.
• What is THCA or THCa? THCA or THCa is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in both raw hemp and cannabis. Unlike THC, THCA doesn’t produce intoxicating effects unless heated.
• Is THCA Legal in the United States? Yes. THCa is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and its derivatives as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. However, state laws vary widely.
• Is THCa legal in Tennessee? Yes as of May 2025, but not for long in unregulated form. If HB 1376 is signed into law, the Tennessee TCHa ban takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
• Is Delta-8 affected? No. HB 1376 does not address Delta-8, it only aims to redefine Delta-9 as it relates to Tennessee THCA

What Is THCA and Is It Legal in Tennessee?

It’s not unique that Tennessee THCA is getting attention from its government; many states across the U.S. are reviewing and amending their hemp laws, which inadvertently allowed intoxicating consumption through product heating. Tennessee specifically attempted to close the loophole by initiating a rule change in late 2024, but a filed lawsuit from the hemp-growing and retail industries remains ongoing. In February 2025, a Nashville judge filed an injunction against the rule change, effectively prohibiting the rule from taking effect until at least June.

Tennessee THCA Ban: What HB 1376 Means

HB 1376, which has been signed by the House Speaker, bans the sale of products with a 0.3% or higher weight of cannabinoids like THCa, THCv, Delta-9 and Delta-10. Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville and legislation sponsor, said the bill is designed to support local hemp growers.

“Our Tennessee farmers are doing the right thing, but they’re having trouble competing with the out-of-state people who now are selling directly to the retailers these products that really are not legal,” Briggs said on the Senate floor.

Tennessee hemp farmers, however, say the bill is bad for their businesses, an industry that generates $2 million in revenue monthly for the state, said hemp researcher Clint Palmer. who told lawmakers recently that a THCa ban would particularly hurt small businesses, not out-of-state corporations

“The manufacturers (are) the ones that can change their products, whereas the retailer is…going to be very limited on what they could sell,” Palmer said. “The majority of the stores are telling me about 70% of their retail sales would be removed if this bill went through.”

The Tennessee Growers Association has also protested the bill.

What Cannabis Products Will Be Legal?

Through this bill, some versions of each popular type of cannabis product will still be technically legally sellable in Tennessee, including flower, vapes, edibles and other consumable cannabis products, but their availability and strength will decrease significantly given the proposed weight restrictions. Products currently sold as hemp and those with innately low weights of THC or CBD, like lotions and textiles, are unlikely to be impacted. It is important to note that hemp products will only be legally sold by retailers with liquor or vape licenses, as the bill moves regulation of hemp from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Efforts to Legalize Cannabis in Tennessee Continue

Beyond the Tennessee THCa ban, other lawmakers within the state continue working toward legalization. Nashville Democrats Rep. Aftyn Behn and Sen. Heidi Campbell aimed to allow recreational cannabis with a 15% tax on sales, in which the Department of Transportation would receive 75% of this tax revenue and local governments would receive 20%.

Democrat Rep. Larry Miller and Sen. Jeff Yarbro also submitted a recreational cannabis bill, SB 0809, which would allow 15% of the revenues for administrative purposes, with 85% going to the general fund after legalizing adult use, possession and transport of up to 60 grams of flower, and personal cultivation up to 12 plants

HB 0872, introduced by Republican Rep. Iris Rudder, aimed to legalize medical marijuana for patients with the required qualifying conditions, as well as permit businesses to cultivate, produce, distribute and sell medical Tennessee cannabis. Is cannabis legal in Tennessee? Not yet, but some lawmakers are continuing the effort.

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