UPDATE: A bill that would adopt new restrictions on cannabis sales in Tennessee has been approved by the Senate, just days before 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday.

Tennessee lawmakers have been cracking down on regulations for hemp businesses across the state, and this could mean serious implications for those in the industry.

HB1376/SB1413, introduced by State Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), places extensive restrictions on Tennessee’s hemp industry. This includes a recent amendment made by Representative Marck Cochran (R-Englewood) that would transfer authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Now that the bill passed in the Senate on April 17, the remaining step is for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to sign in into law. If he does so, new tax rates, age restrictions, penalties, and licensure requirements will be adopted in the sale of cannabis products.

For more information, read the full legislation. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House passed HB1376, a bill transferring authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

An amendment made by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) added on Wednesday that would prevent the sale of hemp containing a total THC content over 0.3%. As most of these products include THCA as a kind of precursor to THC, the bill would essentially ban the sale of TCHA products altogether, or 60% of revenue for local businesses in the hemp industry. 

The Tennessee Growers Coalition issued a statement condemning the amendment, saying it “significantly undermines the months of hard work and collaboration the industry has committed to”. 

“The TGC has been actively working with lawmakers throughout this process to voice the industry’s concerns and find a workable solution—this amendment disregards that effort entirely,” says the coalition.

Although the legislation passed in the House, the Tennessee Senate has yet to vote. The Senate Bill has to match the House bill before moving to Governor Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law.