We could simply withdraw the current bill, and introduce a new bill that states we will have recreational marijuana.
Sam Stockard is Tennessee Lookout
The House Judiciary Committee, despite warnings of the devastation that hemp would face, passed Wednesday a bill that will tighten regulations.
House Bill 1376 is sponsored by William Lamberth, the majority leader of the House in Portland. It would transfer the liquor industry from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Products will also be removed from grocery and convenience store shelves. Some hemp products would only be sold in vape shops and liquor stores.
Next, the House Bill will be heard in the Commerce Committee where possible agreements could be made with industry.
The ban is a real thing [derivatives] THCA & THCP. Lamberth stated that this is due to the fact we do not have marijuana legalized within our state.
It is known that hemp contains delta-9-THC, which makes it different from marijuana. Cannabis with a concentration of less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC is defined as legal hemp in Tennessee—and federally. Cannabis with a concentration greater than 0.3 per cent is considered marijuana in Tennessee and it is illegal to sell, grow or own.
Hemp flower also contains THCA. This nonintoxicating chemical would be prohibited in Tennessee by this bill. When heated or smoked, the THCA in the plant converts into delta-9 THC—an illegal substance in Tennessee in greater than trace amounts.
Clint Palmer is a hemp industry representative who told legislators that the bill was similar to the one that passed in 2023, which led to the Department of Agriculture being sued. The lawsuit continues to be litigated.
Palmer warned that hemp business owners would be forced to close their doors if this new legislation passes. They will do so even after they have spent millions of dollars on compliance with the state’s regulations.
In relation to the current hemp programme, bill sponsors claim that it is the Wild West. Palmer said that the current hemp program is far from being truthful.
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He noted that retailers, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers will be required to have licenses or else face criminal charges. Palmer said that the Department of Agriculture lacks regulation despite the 6 percent tax placed on hemp-derived goods, which brings in $1 million per month.
Lamberth said consumers need to know what ingredients are in hemp products. Palmer says that these ingredients will be listed on labels in accordance with the law of 2023.
He also said that hemp industry is ready to file a lawsuit against the state because of the Farm Act, which sets federal standards for hemp.
Palmer did not acknowledge whether or not a lawsuit would follow passage of the new bill, but said that the Alcoholic Beverage Commission “has a lack of understanding about the hemp plant and this is clearly demonstrated in the bill.”
Next, the Finance Committee will hear the Senate version, which is sponsored by Republican Senator Richard Briggs from Knoxville.
Briggs stated last week that as soon as products are heated up, they turn into marijuana.
Briggs stated, “We could withdraw this bill and just introduce another bill that states we will have recreational marijuana.” “Let’s just be honest.” “It’ll benefit the business, generate great revenue and make everyone happier.
Tennessee Lookout was the first to publish this story.
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