Tennessee approves new restrictions on THC just before 4/20. What's the difference between hemp and marijuana? What to know

OG Article

Allison Kiehl

04-19-2025

Just days before 4/20, sweeping hemp regulations have been approved in Tennessee.

State lawmakers passed a bill on April 17 that, if signed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, would adopt new restrictions for cannabis in the state, including new tax rates, age restrictions and penalties and licensure requirements.

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville. “We have a situation here in Tennessee where we are essentially dealing with unregulated recreational marijuana,” Briggs said during debate on the bill. “It’s the wild west out there.”

Here's what consumers should know about the new THC regulations in Tennessee, approved just before the unofficial marijuana holiday.

What is the new hemp law in Tennessee?

The Tennessee law is an extensive overview of hemp products available in the state and how they're sold.

The bill would establish tax rates for different types of cannabis products, outlining licensure requirements for suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, setting fines for violations, and designating state enforcement authority.

The most impactful portion of the legislature is that it would limit the production and sale of non-Delta-9 THC hemp-derived cannabinoid products in a concentration of 0.3%. This limits what hemp products can be sold within the state.

The bill also classifies THCA as "the precursor of Delta-9 THC" rather than a hemp-derived product.

What is THC?

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is 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.

Is THCA legal in Tennessee?

Yes, TCHA will continue to be legal in Tennessee, as long as its within the state's concentration levels.

Are hemp and marijuana the same?

Hemp and marijuana are the same species, according to Healthline. They’re just two different names for cannabis. The main difference between the terms is how much THC each contains.

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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.

"We are not going to be a recreational marijuana state," Briggs said.

In which states is recreational weed legal?

You can buy legal recreational marijuana in nearly half of U.S. states. But neither medical marijuana or recreational weed are legally available in Tennessee.

According to DISA Global Solutions, marijuana is legal for medical and recreational purchase and consumption in the following states:

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Illinois

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nevada

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• Ohio

• Oregon

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• Virginia

• Washington

• Washington, D.C.